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THE 



OR, 



DEVOTIONS 



YOUNG CHEISTIANS. 



BY 

KEV. H. HARBAUGH, D D. 



>^ 



" And another angel came and stood at the altar, 
having a golden censer ; and there was given unto 
him much incense,"that he should offer it with the 
prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which 

WAS BEFORE THE THRONE.*' — /?<. John. 



PHILADELPHIA: 
LINDSAY & BLAKISTON. 

1860. 






Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1860, by 

LINDSAY & BLAKISTON, 

in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United 

States for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 



J. PAGAN, STEREOTYPER C. SHERMAN & SON, PRINTERS. 



PREFACE. 



Here is a book of devotion for Young Members of the 
Church, and for such as are preparing for its full commu- 
nion. We have aimed at making it just such a work as wo 
ourself felt the need of at that interesting and solemn pe- 
riod of our life. 

"We speak little from ourself in this Work, but as we 
have heard so we speak. Herein are the anointed words 
of all Christian ages and lands. As there is a history of 
doctrinal formularies, so there is a history of devotional 
forms. As doctrines are embodied in Creeds and Cate- 
chisms, so devotions are embodied in prayers and hymns. 
The contents and forms of faith and of worship come down 
to ULS in the history of the church side by side. As there is 
a language of Theology, so there is a language of Worship ; 
and as he is safest in his faith who confesses it in the lan- 
guage of all ages, so he enters most deeply into the true spirit 
of worship who offers his devotions in language consecrated 
by the piety of the glorious company of the Apostles, the 
goodly fellowship of the Prophets, the noble army of Mar- 
tyrs, and of the holy Church throughout all the world. 

We deceive ourselves when we suppose that the use of 
devotional forms endangers the life of piety. As the soul 
is in the body, lives and acts in it and by it, so is the life 
of devotion revealed to us and made to live in us, by means 
of devotional forms. 

That Christians need forms of devotion is evident from 
the fact that the Church has never been without them. 
The Jewish Church had them in the time of Christ and 
before. Our Saviour Himself gave us a form of prayer, and 
said : " After this manner therefore pray ye." The early 

(iii) 



IV PREFACE. 

Church had them ; and the suhlimest and most heavenly 
of them remain in use unto this day. All the Reformers 
used them in public worship, and the laity used them in 
their private devotions; and by this mode of devotion their 
hearts and faith were sustained in the bloodiest martyr- 
periods of the Church ! 

Knox prepared forms of worship for the Church of Scot- 
land. Twice in the Scottish Kirk did the Presbyterians 
adopt the use of a Liturgy, Baxter compiled a Liturgy for 
the Non-conformists. Even Wesley enjoined the use of a 
Liturgy on his followers. Baxter says : " The constant 
disuse of forms is apt to breed giddiness in religion, and to 
make men hypocrites, who shall delude themselves with 
conceits that they delight in God, when it is but in those 
novelties and varieties of expression that they are de- 
lighted ; and therefore I advise forms, to fix Christians, 
and to make them sound." 

In regard to the use of forms of prayer, the- worshipper, 
in the nature of the case, can have no choice. He must 
use his own language, or the language of another. If he 
depends on his own, it will gradually grow into a form to 
him ; so that he will use the same language ; the same 
phrases will recur, the same devotional ideas will be ex- 
pressed, and the same Scripture passages will ever be in- 
terwoven with his prayers. Such praj'ers, not being 
formed on a high devotional model, but the fruit of his 
own limited Christian ideas and experience, will be filled 
with common-place ideas, if not of cant phrases, and will 
thus in time become tasteless to himself, and fail to inte- 
rest, impress, or move the heart. 

It is a deception to suppose that a form of devotion, 
when it is a true one, does not move the heart, and inspire 
a devotional spirit. It is sometimes said that when these 
forms have been often used, and become familiar, the3^fail 
any longer to interest and stir the heart. Have old, and 
often used hymns, that effect? Do we tire of the old? Do 
they fail to move the heart? Do new hymns possess more 
power over our hearts ? These questions answer them- 
selves. All hearts at once exclaim : " The old are best." 



PREFACE. V 

Why do we not compose our hymns of prayer and praise 
as we need them ? If it be answered that not every Chris- 
tian is a poet, then we answer, in like manner, that not 
every one has the gift of preparing for himself those 
prayers which are adapted to give expression to the deep- 
est devotional feelings which struggle in his own heart. 
As we can read and sing hymns devoutly, though they 
have been prepared for us in the same way, so we can use 
prayers prepared for us by the highest inspiration of de- 
vout and holy men. 

It is sometimes said that when the heart is most earnest 
and devout it will most easily find language of its own iu 
which to express its devotional feelings. The truth is just 
the reverse. It is just at that time that it will pray in 
language least original. Our Saviour on the Cross, in 
that earnest hour, prayed his last prayer in the language 
of another: "Father, into Thy hands I commend my 
Spirit! " St. Stephen, in his extremity, when being stoned 
to death, did the same, using the same words. Hundreds 
of the greatest and best men have prayed their last prayer, 
while flesh and heart were failing, in the same v/ords. It 
may easily be observed that those who pra}'^ extempora- 
neously, whenever they become most earnest, naturally 
fall into some familiar phrase of prayer, or some appro- 
priate passage of Scripture. The reason is that, whenever 
the heart swells with devotion, the intellectual process 
needed to form prayers, fiills back. The heart seeks to 
transcend the processes of the mind. I)3'ing persons gene- 
rally pray in expressions which they have learned in early 
life. When we are most devout we instinctively love to 
sing old familiar hymns; and in like manner, when wo 
feel most deeply the spirit of worship, do we find the best 
expression for our burdened heart, not in new, but in old 
language. Swelling waters flow most naturally into the 
channels that lie prepared. 

How blessed are those venerable treasures of devotional 
forms that come down to us savored by the piety of ages I 
IIow like the sound of many waters, and the anthems of 
heavenly choirs, roll over our hearts those glorious prayers, 



VI PREFACE. 

in which Christians for centuries haye lifted up their 
voices to Crod in all time of their tribulation, and in all 
time of their -wealth, amid the pains of sickness, and in 
the hour of death ! They seem to have the nerve of a mar- 
tyr's faith, the buoyancy of a martyr's hope, and the 
deathless fire of a martyr's love. We feel that their words 
are not as other words, nor their spirit as other spirits. 
" Read the Te Deum ! " said "Watson, the Methodist divine, 
just as he was dying ; " Read the Te Deum ; it seems to 
unite one, in spirit, with the whole Catholic Church on 
earth and in heaven ! " 

When we pray in these old anointed forms, a holy awe 
and an awful silence seems to fall upon the spirit, as if the 
shadow of angel's wings were passing over us! 

In this book of devotion will be found much of the glo- 
rious old. It would conduct the young Christian heart 
into the silent fellowship of the venerable saints of past 
ages. Claiming little for ourselves, we can humbly and 
modestly say : Here are words of high inspiration born in 
the hearts, and caught from the lips of martyrs, confes- 
sors, and saints of all ages, lands, and languages. Sacred 
associations of faith, hope, love, and penitence, of joys and 
sorrows, of conflicts and victories, render fragrant every 
line and word of these solemn old devotions. May the odor 
of the spiritual incense thus gathered, be evermore re- 
turned, from thousands of pious hearts, into that Golden 
Censer in the Angel's hand, and continue to be offered 
with the prayers of all saints upon the Golden Altar which 
is before the throne of God and the Lamb ! 

Lancaster, Pa., Oct. dth, 1860. 



CONTEE^TS. 



Gethsemene Page 13 

The Still Hour 15 

PART I. 

Preparation for Confirmation 19 

I. Meditations for Baptized Youth 19 

The Holy Child Jesus 19 

I am Baptized 22 

I am in Covenant with God 24 

The Washing of Regeneration 25 

The Remission of Sin 26 

The Gift of the Holy Ghost 27 

Burial and Resurrection 29 

Putting on Christ 31 

I am a Member of the Church 33 

I am a Christian 35 

The Beginning, not the End 36 

Growth in Grace 37 

The Soul's Longings 38 

The Father's Covenant Love 40 

Remembrance of my Baptism. 42 

Hope in the Covenant — A Hymn 44 

(vii) 



Vlll CONTENTS. 

II. Meditations for Catechumens 46 

The Youthful Jesus 46 

The Teacher of my Youth 49 

The Hope of my Youth 50 

The Guide of my Youth 51 

The Monitor of my Youth 53 

The Yoke of my Youth 55 

The Enemy of my Youth 57 

Ilis Promises to my Youth — Hymn 59 

III. Daily Devotion for the Catechumen 62 

Solemn Renewal of Baptismal Vows 62 

Prayer 63 

Prayer for a Catechumen 67 

IV. Devout Review of Baptismal Vows 69 

First Vow 69 

Second Vow 73 

Third Vow 77 

V. Covfirmation 82 

Devotions for Confirmation Day 95 

A Meditation 95 

Devotions in the Church on Confirmation Day. 100 

Devotions after Confirmation 102 

An Act of Self-dedication 105 

VI. Advice and Warning to the Newly Confirmed. 107 

PART II. 

Preparations for the Lord's Supper 125 

I. Meditations on the Lord's Supper 125 

In Remembrance of Me 125 

For the Remission of Sins 130 



CONTENTS. IX 

The Sacrament of Union with Christ 135 

Communion with Christ 138 

Communion with one Another 141 

The Sacrament of Nourishment and Refresh- 
ment 145 

The Sacrament of Public Profession and 

Confession.... 147 

The Sacrament of Resurrection 150 

The Sacrament of Foretastes 153 

II. Private Preparatory Liturgy 156 

An Act of Confession and Supplication 164 

III. Prayers before Communion 170 

Litany 170 

Prayers during Communion 176 

Prayers after having Communed 180 

Prayer, Intercession, and Praise 185 

PART III. 

Private Preparation for Public Worship 191 

Private Devotions in the Church 197 

Intercession for Backsliders 201 

Prayers after the Sermon 202 

PART IV. 

Daily Morning and Evening Devotions 203 

Sunday Morning 205 

Sunday Evening 208 

Monday Morning 211 

Monday Evening 212 

Tuesday Morning 214 

Tuesday Evening 216 



X CONTENTS. 

Wednesday Morning 218 

Wednesday Evening 220 

Thursday Morning 222 

Thursday Evening. 224 

Friday Morning 226 

Friday Evening 228 

Saturday Morning 230 

Saturday Evening 232 

PART V. 

Devotions for the Festival Seasons 235 

Devotions for Christmas 237 

Devotions for Good Friday 239 

Devotions for Easter 246 

Devotions for Ascension Day 249 

Devotions for Whitsuntide 250 

PART VI. 

Special Devotions 251 

I. Supplications 254 

Against Passion 254 

Against Temptation 255 

In time of Calamity 256 

In view of the Last Judgment 256 

Dies Irae 257 

n. Prayers 260 

The Lord's Prayer paraphrased 260 

For Faith 263 

For Humility. 264 

After a Relapse into Sin 265 

For Pardon 267 



CONTENTS. XI 

For Love to our Neighbor 270 

On engaging in a New Pursuit 271 

Before a Journey 273 

After a Journey 273 

For Angelic Ministrations 274 

Under Crosses 275 

In time of deep Distress 276 

After the Removal of Calamities 278 

III. An Act of General Intercession 279 

For Parents 285 

For the Congregation to which you belong... 287 

For the Family in which you live 287 

For Friends 288 

IV. Thanksgivings 289 

An Act of General Thanksgiving 289 

PART YII. 

Primitive Devotional Forms 295 

The Lord's Prayer 295 

The Hymn of Zacharias 296 

The Hymn of the Virgin Mary 297 

The Hymn of Simeon 298 

The Seraphic Hymn 299 

The Beatitudes 299 

The Minor Doxology 300 

The Angelic Hymn 300 

The Te Deum 301 

The Litany.... 303 

The Apostles' Creed 307 

The Nicene Creed 308 

The Athanasian Creed 309 

The Ten Commandments 313 



Xll CONTENTS. 

PART VIII. 

Devotions in Sickness 319 

Prayer at the beginning of Sickness 319 

For Abatement of Pain 320 

Thanks on the Abatement of Pain 321 

For a Blessing on the Use of Medicine 321 

For Sleep 322 

Short Prayers to be used by the Sick. 323 

For Support in Sickness 326 

On going to Sleep 326 

A Litany for the Sick 327 

Litany Hymn 334 

Thanksgiving after Recovery 335 

A Litany for the Dying 337 

For a Sick Person unprepared to Die 340 

When there is no Hope of Recovery 3J.3 

For a Holy and Happy Death 344 

Benedictions for Departing Souls 345 

PART IX. 

Thoughts for Young Church Members 347 

I. Your Relation to the Church 349 

II. The Outward Concerns of the Church 351 

III. Attendance on the Ordinances of the Church. 353 

IV. Honoring the Church before the World.... 357 

V. The Church of which you are a Member.. 360 

VI. Your Pastor 362 

VII. Your Relation to your Fellow-Members.... 373 
VIII. Proper Conduct in the House of God 375 

PART X. 

An Order of Scripture Readings, arranged accord- 
ing TO THE Church Year 383 



GETHSEMENE. 



Then cometli Josus with them unto a place called Qeth- 
semene, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I 
go and pray yonder. — St. Matt. xxvi. 36. 



I. 

When heart is weary, 
When eyes are teary, 
Or life's way dreary, 
I seek the shades of 

Gethsemene. 
And thither straying, 
Believing, praying, 
I hear Christ saying, 

*'0h! trust in me." 
Then with confession, 
And intercession. 
And new profession, 
Hopeful I press on, 

Christ, to Thee! 
And feel Thy love more 
Sweetly than e'er before 
Stealing my heart o'er. 
In the lone shades of 

Qethscmene. 

(13) 



14 GETHSEMENE. 

II. 

Ctiarmed, on this sacred ground, 
As dies each worldly sound 
In the deep peace around, 
Sweeter than rest is 

This spot to me. 
At thy foot, Olivet, 
Fondly I linger yet: 
Think of His bloody sweat 

And agony! 
"Whilst with confession, 
And intercession, 
And new profession. 
Hopeful I press on, 

Christ, to Thee! 
Jesus! Thy love more 
Sweetly than e'er before, 
Steals all my heart o'er 
In the sweet shades of 
Gethsemene. 



THE GOLDEN CENSER. 



THE STILL HOUR. 

Far from my thoughts, vain world, be gone, 

Let my religious hours alone; 

Fain would my eyes my Saviour see, 

I wait a visit. Lord, from Thee. 

A Christian must he often alone with God. Our Saviou* 
often withdrew from the multitude, and even from the 
company of His disciples, that He might commune with 
His Heavenly Father. He is our example. 

As far as possible have a place where your regular 
prayers "are wont to be made." Time will make that 
place solemn, sacred, and pleasant to you. Though our 
Saviour prayed elsewhere, yet, when in Jerusalem, He 
<' was wont" to pass his devotional hours in Gethsemene. 
He felt the power of locality. 

Pray at regular times. 

If not seven times a day, like David, Ps. cxix. 164. 
At least three times a day, like Daniel, Dan. vi. 10. 

If not at length, like Solomon, I Kings viii. 22-53. 
At least with brevity, like the Publican, Luke xviii. 13. 

If not all night, like Christ, Luke vi. I3i 
At least evening and morning. 

Pray in a reverent position. 

Pray in a devout frame of mind. 

When alone, pray in an audible voice. 

Besides your regular times of devotion, cultivate the 
habit of what is called ejaculatory prayer. That is, accus- 
tom yourself at all times, and in all places, to lift up your 
Ifceart to God in brief sighs or sentences. This you can do 

(15) 



16 THE GOLDEN CENSER. 

when you walk, or rest, when you work hy day or wake at 
night, alone or in company. Do this especially when you 
suspect danger or temptation nigh. 

Read the Scriptures with your regular devotions. 

When alone sing a hymn with your prayers. 

Let self-examination he part of your exercises in the still 
hour. 

Meditate hefore you pray, and also at proper pauses 
during your prayer. Meditation is necessary to incite in 
your heart the spirit of prayer, and to make it devout and 
hearty. 

Pray with a forgiving spirit. "Forgive, if- ye have 
aught against any: that your Father also which is in 
heaven may forgive you." 

Pray in faith. " What things soever ye desire when ye 
pray, helieve that ye receive them, and ye shall have 
them." Every right prayer is certainly answered, though 
it may not he at the time you think, nor in the way you 
desire. 

Pray in the name of Jesus. " Whatsoever ye shall ask 
in My name, that I will do." 

" No man cometh unto the Father hut by Me." 



> 



)irtji-gaj Snnifjtrsarg. 



BORN 



"^raijer. 



Almighty God, the Father and Maker of 
all things, whose goodness has ushered me 
into the mystery of my present being, and 
whose blessed providence has watched over 
me ever since I was born and hung upon my 
mother's breast; I praise and magnify Thy 
glorious Name for this Thy great goodness 
towards me ; most humbly beseeching Thee 
that I may be taught to number my days, and 
apply my heart unto wisdom : that I may know 
to what end I was born, and had both body 
and life given me, even to serve Thee, the liv- 
ing God : that I may bewail my sinful years 
past, and spend the rest of my time here in a 
godly, righteous, and sober life : that as I 

have now finished years of my life 

here by Thy favor, so I may continue and 
finish up the remainder of my allotted days 
in Thy fear ; and that as Thou didst, as on 




%^ 

this day, give nje being to live here a little & 
time, so Thou mayest at the last day give me 
an entrance into Thy heavenly kingdom, to 
live with Thee for ever and ever : through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



II. 

Almighty and everlasting God, in whose 
hands are life and death, by whose will all 
things are created, and by whose providence 
they are sustained ; I, Thine unworthy ser- 
vant, return Thee most humble and hearty 
thanks that Thou hast given me life, and con- 
tinued it to this time: that Thou hast hitherto 
forborne to snatch me away in the midst of 
sin and folly, and hast permitted me still to 
enjoy the means of grace, and dost still call 
me to repentance. Grant, merciful Lord, 
that Thy call may not be in vain, that my 
life may not continue to increase my guilt and 
aggravate my account, and that Thy gracious 
forbearance may not harden my heart in wick- 
edness, so that in the end it had been better 
that I had not been born! Let me remember, 
my God, that as days and years pass over 
me, I approach nearer to the grave, where 
there is no repentance ; and grant that, by the 
assistance of thy Holy Spirit, I may so pass 
through this life, that I may obtain life ever- 
^ lasting : through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. J^ 



Jnmkrsarg of §aptism. 



BAPTIZED 



Lord, heavenly Father, Almighty and 
everlasting God, who of Thine infinite good- 
ness toward me, when I was born in sin, and 
was no other than an heir of everlasting 
wrath, didst vouchsafe that I, as on this day, 
should be born again of water and the Holy 
Ghost, and thereby put on Christ, become a 
member of Thy Church, and an heir of eter- 
nal life ; for this inestimable favor, Lord, I 
do extol the abundant riches of Thy glorious 
grace ; and in the sight of Thy holy angels, 
and of all the company of heaven, I now renew 
that sacred vow, which was made in my name, 
to forsake this wicked world, and to live, as a 
Christian ought to do, in obedience to Thy 
holy faith and commandments. I most humbly 
and heartily beseech Thee, of Thy great mercy, 








to pardon all further breaches of my solemn 
promise, and to endue me with the assistance 
of Thy Holy Spirit, that henceforth I may 
walk worthy of that blessed estate into which 
Thou hast called me ; and, keeping myself 
unspotted from the world, the flesh, and the 
devil, may die daily unto sin, for which cause 
I was baptized into the death of Jesus Christ ; 
and, having been buried with Him by baptism 
into death, may I also rise with Him unto 
newness of life here, and unto glory, honor, 
and immortality at the last day, through the 
same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord : to 
whom, with Thee, and the Holy Ghost, be 
honor and glory, world without end. Amen. 



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PART I. 



PREPARATION FOR CONFIRMATION. 



(17) 



Tcii^ad ca?n6 to ^e</e6m ail '^u c/6 fnid-e// j 
ate ^c^no, tm^ouan, Q^c^ti, a/ie {^ot7z aaain 
lonCo & oa : iii/cMzld, lUue cnUcUe7z, i^07j-^, 
'uocC'^^a '}n67t a^ta cid. t^ ns^e/M■e c7h^e 
Aa44ed m^ouafl e'ue^y- aae : «j^<7« ln& Kyft=' 
/<in^<i 'S'Se vecame a7z i9t/a7U, ^anch/yma 
m€^ i'}t/a7ttd y ama7ia t^e uUie ^'/uldzeTi 
<^toe v^ecame a ^iUie crutd, lo <i-a7tcUpu tnode 
^c^m a^e 0/ w^d aae, and al^ {;ne iiwme Uttic 
{;c ^^ede'izl lo tnem. a/7z exa^m^ie 0/ ^uel^u, 
tchttafUnedd f arid oi^edience / amo7za Inc 
^cdoii7ta t^^eiz cdfoe i^6ca'?ne a youjza '77za7z, 
mal: 'S^e '}niafU d€i mem aot example aTtd 
iia>7tch/y' mem {:o me ^^ozd. 

(18) 



PREPARATION 

FOR 

CONFIRMATION. 



I, 

MEDITATIONS FOR BAPTIZED 
YOUTH. 

THE HOLY CHILD JESUS. 

The holy child Jesus! What is this I 
read of thee : 

And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled 
with wisdom ; and the grace of God was upon him, 

Luke ii. 40, 

Of thine infancy, Lord Jesus, this is said ! 
From the time of Thy circumcision, when 
Thou wast eight days old, from that time 
Thou didst grow, and wax strong in spirit, 
filled with wisdom ; and the grace of God 
was upon Thee. Why is this said? but 
that Thine infancy may be a pattern to me, 
and to all children. 

In my Baptism I was dedicated to Thee, 
Lord Jesus, that from that time forth I 
might grow up in Thee. I was solemnly 

(19) 



20 PREPARATION FOR CONFIRMATION. 

consecrated to Thee, Holy Jesus, that I 
might, by Thy grace, through every change 
of growth, be moulded into Thine own image 
from grace to grace. This my Baptism pro- 
mised ; for this my parents prayed ; and 
after this, Lord Jesus, my heart longs and 
desires. 

Little is said of Thine infancy. But how 
blessed is that little ! These few words hold 
up before us. Thee, as the Holy Child ! 
Lovely infancy ! Beautiful childhood ! O 
may the blessed picture of Thy holy child- 
hood charm my heart, and the hearts of all 
children. Yes, Lord Jesus, Thou didst be- 
come a little child for little children, that 
Thou might est be to them an example 
of piety and obedience. Thou didst pass 
through this period of life a holy child, to 
show forever that from Thee children may 
obtain grace to grow up in piety from ear- 
liest life. 

I have not only the holy Scriptures to 
assure me that it is possible for children to 
be sanctified to God from birth, as were Jere- 
miah and John the Baptist, but I have Thine 
own blessed example, of pious childhood, O 
Holy Child Jesus. As thou givest me the 
example, so Thou wilt give me the needed 
o;race to be Thine in childhood. 



MEDITATIONS FOR BAPTIZED YOUTH. 21 

Everlasting thanks to Thee, Lord Jesus ! 
I need not first grow up in wickedness, and 
then painfully return, with blemishes and 
scars on my soul, to undo with sorrow what 
has been done in sin. I need not learn to 
neglect and hate Thee first, and then after- 
wards to seek and love Thee. I may grow up 
in piety, so as not to be able to remember a 
time when I did not love Thee. From child- 
hood I may wax strong in spirit, be filled 
with wisdom, and have the grace of God 
upon me. 

Beautiful childhood, which is fashioned 
after Thine own, Holy Child Jesus ! 



22 PREPARATION FOR CONFIRMATION. 

FIRST MEDITATION. 

I AM BAPTIZED. 

I am baptized ! According to Thy com- 
mand, Lord Jesus, have I been baptized. In 
the name of the Father, and of the Son, and 
of the Holy Ghost, have I been baptized. 

I am baptized 1 Soon after I was born, 
my parents, with a pious love, devoted me to 
Thee, my Saviour. Like the little children 
whom Thou didst take into Thine arms and 
bless, I could not come to Thee myself, and 
hence my parents brought me. Thanks to 
Thee, Lord Jesus, that no one forbade them 
to bring me ; and that Thou hast said, Suffer 
the little children to come unto me. 

Like those little children, I could not 
choose, nor seek, nor desire to come to Thee. 
Still less could I actually come by repent- 
ance, by faith, by prayer, by the personal 
use of means and ordinances, or by obedience 
to Thy commands; but my parents could 
bring me ; and in bringing me they acknow- 
ledged my sinful nature, and my need of a 
Saviour. They believed in my name, as the 
woman of Canaan did for her daughter, and 
the centurion for his servant. They prayed 



MEDITATIONS FOR BAPTIZED YOUTH. 23 

for me. They obeyed and used the appointed 
means and ordinances for me. This Thou 
didst accept at their hands in my behalf; 
and in answer to their pious act and desire, 
didst vouchsafe to me the blessing of Thy 
holy baptism. 

I cannot remember my baptism. But this 
does not rob me of the blessing contained in 
it, and that flows to me from it. I do not 
remember that my parents nursed and pro- 
tected me ; cared for me, clothed and fed 
me. Many other good and kind acts, neces- 
sary to my health and growth in body and 
mind, they did for me in my infancy. The 
remembrance of them is gone, but their 
blessed effects remain. Merciful are all Thy 
ways, Lord my God ! Behold, Thou art 
found of them that sought Thee not ! Herein 
is love, not that I loved God, but that He 
loved me. 

I am baptized ! Though I do not remem- 
ber it, my parents have reminded me of it ; 
and Thou, my Heavenly Father, hast not 
forgotten it. It was not my act to Thee ; it 
was Thy act to me. Thou hast been a God 
to me, according to Thy promise. Thou 
hast remembered Thy holy covenant; for- 
ever blessed be Thy name ! 



24 PREPARATION FOR CONFIRMATION. 

SECOND MEDITATION. 

I AM IN COVENANT WITH GOD. 

I am in covenant with God ! In my bap- 
tism God established His covenant with me. 
It is His covenant with me. As He ap- 
pointed the rainbow as a token to Noah and 
all who came after him, that He would 
nevermore destroy the world by a flood ; and 
as He appointed circumcision as the token 
that He would be a God to all who accept 
of this covenant seal ; so He has appointed 
holy Baptism as a sign and seal that He will 
be a God to all who are baptized in His 
name. By this token Pie knows me as His 
child ; and by virtue of this covenant He 
will bless and keep me. 

Yes, merciful, heavenly Father, all that 
Thou hast promised to do for Thy baptized 
children, Thou wilt surely do. What Thou 
hast made Baptism, that it is to me ; what it 
signifies that Thou givest, by virtue of it. 
Devoutly will I hear and believe what Thou 
say est in Thy holy word concerning it. *'He 
that believeth and is baptized, shall be 
saved.'^ I am baptized, and I also believe. 
Lord, help Thou mine unbelief. Increase 



MEDITATIONS FOR BAPTIZED YOUTH. 25 

my faith. Thou hast confirmed Thy love to 
me by Thy holy covenant ; I also dedicate 
myself to Thee by my vow. 



THIRD MEDITATION. 

THE "VVASHING OF REGENERATION. 

Except a man be born of water, and of the Spirit, he 
cannot enter into the kingdom of God. — St. John, iii. 5. 

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but 
according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of 
regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost. — Tit. iii. 5. 

I have been born of water ; grant me, also, 
to be born of the Spirit. I have received 
the " washing of regeneration ;^' grant me 
also the *' renewing of the Holy Ghost.^' As 
Thou hast vouchsafed me the one, Thou wilt 
not withhold the other. As Thou hast con- 
nected the two in Thy holy Word, Thou wilt 
connect them in my blessed experience. 
What Thou hast begun in the *' washing of 
regeneration,'' Thou wilt complete by the 
*' renewing of the Holy Ghosf 



26 PREPARATION FOR CONFIRMATION. 



FOURTH MEDITATION. 

THE REMISSION OF SINS. 

Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling 
on the name of the Lord. — Acts xxii. 16. 

Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name 
of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins, and ye shall 
receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is 
unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar 
off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. — Acts 
ii. 38, 39. 

The promise is to me ! Blessed promise ! I 
am baptized for the remission of sins. Christ 
has appointed this external washing with 
water, adding thereunto this promise, that 
I AM as certainly washed, by His blood and 
Spirit, from all the pollution of my soul, that 
is, from all my sins, as I am washed exter- 
nally with water, by which the filthiness of 
the body is commonly washed away.''^^ To 
be washed by the blood and spirit of Christ, 
is to receive of God remission of sins, 
freely, for the sake of Christ's blood, which 
He shed for us in His sacrifice upon the 
cross ; and also, to be renewed by the Holy 
Ghost, and sanctified to be members of 
Christ, that so we may more and more die 

* Held. Catechism, Ques. 69. 



MEDITATIONS FOR BAPTIZED YOUTH. 27 

unto sin, and lead holy and unblamable 
lives.^ 

** This is the sum of the Article concern- 
ing the forgiveness of sins : You believe that 
the Church, which is the body of Christ, and 
all her members in this life possess, not an 
uncertain forgiveness that lasts but for a 
time, but a certain, constant, eternal remis- 
sion, not only of some but of all their sins 
vrith which they have daily to contend, and 
that there is therefore in the Church as little 
condemnation as if there were no more either 
sin or death, and that consequently the faith- 
ful have peace with God, and thus the true 
salvation/' t 



FIFTH MEDITATION. 

THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST. 
« Ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." 

Before Thy departure. Lord Jesus, Thou 
didst say to Thy sorrowing disciples : " I will 
pray the Father, and he shall give you an- 
other Comforter, that he may abide with 
you forever; even the Spirit of truth ; whom 

* Held. Catech., Qnes. 70. f Olevianus. 



28 PREPARATION FOR CONFIRMATION. 

the world cannot receive, because it seeth 
him not, neither knoweth him ; but ye know 
him ; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be 
in you'' (St. John xiv. 16, IT). Now Thou 
dost declare to us that all who are baptized 
shall receive this gift of the Holy Ghost. 
The world cannot receive Him ; but He 
dwelleth with us, and shall be in us ! This 
promise Thou hast gloriously fulfilled to me. 
I can call to mind that from my childhood, 
as far back as my memory can reach, the 
good Holy Spirit has been with me, and in 
me. He has often earnestly warned me 
against the evil, and sweetly allured me to 
the good. 

The unbaptized in the world may have 
felt the workings of a natural conscience, 
and heard it inwardly speaking to them 
when the law of God has been violated ; but 
besides a natural conscience, Thou hast given 
to me the Holy Ghost, not only to reprove 
me when I transgressed Thy laws, but also 
to urge me to accept the offers of Thy gospel. 
Conscience can only threaten when we sin, 
but cannot point and draw us to the remedy. 
It can make us tremble before Mount Sinai, 
but cannot make us melt, and weep before 
the cross. This Thy Holy Spirit alone can 
do ; and He has done it for me, ever since 



MEDITATIONS FOR BAPTIZED YOUTH. 29 

my childhood. Blessed be Thy name, Lord 
Jesus, for my baptism, and the gift of the 
Holy Ghost I 

In the baptism of Thy beloved Son, my 
Lord and Saviour, I behold a type of that 
which was done to me when I was baptized. 
Lo, the heavens were opened, and the Spirit 
of God descended like a dove and rested on 
Hiift. Then there came a voice from heaven, 
saying. This is my beloved Son, in whom I 
am well pleased. Thou hast declared that 
the same Holy Spirit shall be received by 
them that are baptized for the remission of 
sin. Though not direct from heaven, yet as 
truly from Thy holy word comes a voice to 
me, saying, " Ye are all children of God by 
faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you 
as have been baptized into Christ, have put 
on Christ.'' 



SIXTH MEDITATION. 

BURIAL AND RESURRECTION. 

Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into 
Jesus Christ, were baptized into His death? 

Therefore we are buried with Ilim by baptism into 
death : that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by 
the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in 
newness of life. — Rom. vi. 3, 4. 



30 PREPARATION FOR CONFIRMATION. 

By my baptism I have been buried with 
Thee, Lord Jesus, into the death of sin ; and 
from it I shall rise with Him into the life of 
grace. 

Just as Thou, Lord Jesus, didst go down 
into death, and rise from it : so, in my bap- 
tism, my old nature has gone down into 
death, and my new nature in Thee has re- 
vived. As Thy burial was the turning pC)int 
between Thy earthly and heavenly life — be- 
tween Thy humiliation for our sins, and Thy 
glorified life in the resurrection — so my 
burial in baptism was the turning point be- 
tween my spiritual death and spiritual life. 
Then sin began to die, and then grace began 
to live. 

Before my baptism I had only the life of 
nature, doomed to death ; but after it I have 
the Holy Ghost, who is the Lord, and Giver 
of life. Now what has been born of the 
flesh also begins to be born of the Spirit. 

*' Buried with him in baptism, wherein 
also ye are risen with Him through the 
faith of the operation of God, who hath raised 
Him from the dead.^' (Col. ii. 12.) 

** We conclude, therefore, that we are bap- 
tized into the mortification of the flesh, which 
commences in us at baptism, which we are 
to pursue from day to day, and which will 



MEDITATIONS FOR BAPTIZED YOUTH. 31 

be perfected when we pass out of this 
life/^ * 

*^ To be baptized into Chrisfs death, is to 
be made the partakers of all the benefits of 
His death, just as if we ourselves had died ; 
and also to die unto sin, or to mortify the 
lusts of the flesh by virtue of His death, and 
with Him, be raised to a new life ; for God 
promises to us, and binds us to this mortifi- 
cation of the old man in our baptism/' f 



SEVENTH MEDITATION. 

PUTTING ON CHRIST. 

As many of you as have been baptized into Christ, have 
put on Christ. — Gal. iii. 27. 

What saith the spirit here? What is it 
to "put on Christ?'' The holy Apostle 
elsewhere says that in the resurrection the 
corruptible body shall " put on" incorrup- 
tion, and the mortal shall " put on" immor- 
tality. This " putting on" of incorruption 
and immortality must mean, that we shall 
be put in possession of incorruption and im- 
mortality, and live in it. So to ** put on 

* Calvin. f Ursinus. 



32 PREPARATION FOR CONFIRMATION. 

Christ/' must mean to possess Him, and live 
in Him. When the prophet calls to the 
church, ''Awake, awake, put on thy strength, 
Zion,'' he must mean an inward strength 
from the Lord. When Job says : "I put on 
righteousness, and it clothed me,'' he must 
mean, not a mere outward form of righteous- 
ness, but real inward union with God. St. 
Paul also elsewhere says : " Put on the new 
man, which after God is created in right- 
eousness and true holiness" (Eph. iv. 24), 
by which he means to say, that they should 
seek to be inwardly "renewed in the spirit 
of their mind." So, to "put on Christ," 
must mean to have Him as our life, our 
strength, and power of salvation. As many 
as are baptized into Christ, are thus in Him, 
and have put Him on. Glorious grace 1 to 
have put off the old death of nature, and to 
have put on the new life of Jesus Christ, 
my Lord! 



MEDITATIONS FOR BAPTIZED YOUTH. 33 

EIGHTH MEDITATION. 

I AM A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH. 

I am a member of the Church by virtue of my baptism. 
" Baptism was appointed to be the sign of our entrance 
and reception into the Church. Baptism, in separating 
and distinguishing the members of the Church from the 
rest of mankind, connects and unites them with the 
Church, and with one another." * 

For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body. — 
1 CoR. xii. 13. 

Baptized into one body ; that is, into the 
Church which is the Body of Christ. As it 
brings me into covenant with God, it brings 
me into the family of God, which is made up 
of the children of the covenant. ^^By hap- 
tism, as the sign of the covenant, I have, 
been incorporated! into the Christian Church, 
and distinguished from unbelievers, as was 
done in the Old Covenant or Testament by 
circumcision, instead of which baptism was 
instituted in the New Covenant.^' Of the 
Church I am taught to believe that *' I am, 
and forever shall remain a living member 
thereof.^^ X 

"■ Baptism is a sacrament of the New Tes- 

* Ursinus. f Einverlerbet Ileid. Catech. Ques. 74. 

% Idem., Ques. 54. 

3 



34 PREPARATION FOR CONFIRMATION. 

tament instituted by Christ, which seals 
unto the faithful, who are baptized in the 
name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, 
remission of all their sins, the gift of the 
Holy Ghost, and their engrafting into the 
Body and Church of Christ, whilst they, on 
the other hand, profess that they receive 
these blessings, and that they ought and 
will henceforth live unto Him/^ ^ 

Though a member of the Church, I am not 
yet in full communion. I have been made 
one of the family, but I have not yet been at 
Thy table, which is spread for Thy children. 
But I have a right to it ; and as soon as I 
ratify the vows made for me in my baptism, 
and receive, by the " laying on of hands,^' 
the " solemn benediction of Thy Holy 
Church, ^^ I will be admitted to the blessed 
supper of the Lord. 

This solemn step I am now fully resolved 
to take. how I long for this blessed privi- 
lege ! Soon I shall appear as a guest at Thy 
table. Lord Jesus 1 Soon I shall feed on the 
fatness of Thy house, and drink of the river 
of Thy pleasures. Soon Thou shalt give me 
to eat of the hidden manna. for the bread 
which Cometh down from heaven, that I may 
eat thereof, and never die ! 

* Ursinus. 



MEDITATIONS FOR BAPTIZED YOUTH. 35 

NINTH MEDITATION. 

I AM A CHRISTIAN. 

Having been baptized, I am a Christian. 
Is this so, blessed Saviour ? May I call my- 
self a Christian ? I feel and know myself to 
be a sinner, in thought, word, and deed. 
How then am I a Christian ? 

It shall be told thee *' why thou art called 
a Christian.'^ Take the words into thine 
own mouth, and utter them from the heart 
with thine own lips. 

*' Because I am a member of Christ by 
faith, and thus am partaker of Ilis anoint- 
ing, that so I may confess His name, and 
present myself a living sacrifice of thankful- 
ness to Him ; and also, that with a free and 
good conscience I may fight against sin and 
Satan in this life ; and afterwards reign with 
Him eternally over all creatures/^ "^" 

Blessed be Thy grace, Lord Jesus ! In 
my baptism Thou hast granted me the re- 
mission of sins, given me the gift of the 
Holy Ghost, and made me a member of Thy 

* Ileid. Catech. Quos. 32. 



36 PREPARATION FOR CONFIRMATION. 

body, and callest me a Christian ! Help me 
to accept, and claim, and live worthily of 
this great grace. 



TENTH MEDITATION. 

THE BEGINNING, NOT THE END. 

Though you are thus graciously related to 
Christ, bear in mind that you are only at the 
beginning and not at the end of the Chris- 
tian life. ''I beseech you that you receive 
not the grace of God in vain.'' 

A child is a human being when it is born, 
but it has yet much to pass through before 
it is a full-grown person. It may never 
reach that point. It may destroy itself, or 
be destroyed by others. Though you are a 
Christian, you are only a **babe in Christ.'' 
The child born must also be nourished. The 
*' washing of regeneration" is only the be- 
ginning, and must be followed by the " re- 
newing of the Holy Ghost." Having been 
planted into Christ Jesus, you must now 
grow in grace and in the knowledge of Him. 



MEDITATIONS FOR BAPTIZED YOUTH. 



ELEVENTH MEDITATION. 

GROWTH IN GRACE. 

So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed 
into the ground ; 

And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed 
should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. 

For the earth hringeth forth fruit of herself; first the 
blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. 

But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he 
putteth in the sickle, because the hiarvest is come. — St. 
Mark, iv. 26—29. 

The seed sown into the soil is not yet the 
harvest. Many influences that we know, 
and others that we know not, may hinder 
its growth in the best soil. Not all the 
blossoms on the tree come to ripe fruit ; 
and there are abortive growths on the best 
tree. This is a mystery in nature even as 
in grace ; and yet we know that grain can 
grow to maturity only when planted in the 
soil, and that fruit can grow and ripen only 
on the tree. In like manner, by the neglect 
of your parents, by the neglect of the Church, 
or by your own neglect, you may fall short 
of eternal life, and become a fruitless branch 
even in the vine, and at last be cut off, cast 
forth, and destroyed ! 



38 FREPARATION FOR CONFIRMATION. 

Though this be so, yet what a blessed 
thing it is to be in covenant by baptism, and 
thus to be planted in the soil of the Church ! 
In this position we can say to you : '* Be- 
lieve on the warrant of your baptism. You 
are grafted into Christ ; claim your position. 
You have the spirit, you are a child of God ; 
do not live as if you belonged to the devil.^' 
You are planted into Christ ; grow in Him. 
You have risen with Plim ; live with Him. 
You are in the bosom of the Church, the 
nursing "mother of us all;'' break not 
away from her to feed on the beggarly ele- 
ments of the world. You are in your Fa- 
ther's house, and share in His love ; go not 
away, like the prodigal, to feed on husks in 
the far country of the world. You are 
among the children ; seek not the bosom of 
strangers. 



TWELFTH MEDITATIOIS^. 

THE SOUL^S LONGINGS. 

You have not only a right to all these 
glorious blessings of His grace, but the Holy 
Ghost given to you in jovlv baptisms begets 



MEDITATIONS FOR BAPTIZED YOUTH. 39 

in you a desire after them. While you seek 
to '* work out your own salvation with fear 
and trembling/' *' it is God which worketh 
in you both to will and to do of His good 
pleasure.'' 

The holy Scriptures teach, and whoever 
carefully observes his own experiences and 
those of others, may know, that persons 
baptized have stronger and more wakeful 
religious instincts and aspirations. There is 
in them a nature more susceptible to the call 
and approach of grace, than is found in the 
unbaptized. There is in them that to which 
St. John refers, when he says, *'His seed 
remaineth in them" — a seed that will show 
life when the means of grace are brought to 
bear on it, as naturally and surely as any 
natural seed, that lies unseen and silent in 
the bosom of the soil, will awake to life when 
the warm spring sun beams on it, and the 
genial south wind breathes over it. 

This need not seem strange and unac- 
countable, when we remember that to the 
baptized it is said, '' Ye shall receive the 
gift of the Holy Ghost ;'' that our Saviour 
promises that the Holy Ghost dwelleth with 
them, and shall be in them ; and that the 
apostle declares that our very bodies are the 
temple of the Holy Ghost, and that He 



40 PREPARATION FOR CONFIRMATION. 

dwelleth in iis. If the Holy Ghost dwells 
in those who have put on Christ and are 
united to Him, in a way in which the world 
can neither receive nor know Him (St. John 
xiv. 17), we have the very best ground on 
which to explain the fact of stronger reli- 
gious instincts, aspirations, and desires in 
such as have received Holy Baptism, and 
with it the gift of the Holy Ghost. 

You have, in some measure at least, these 
holy desires after Christ. You wish to grow 
into full self-conscious. Christian life. These 
warm desires that burn in you are kindled 
by reclaiming grace ! Thank ^' the love of 
the Spirit^' for them ! Cherish them more 
than life itself, and cultivate them as a plant 
of grace which you expect to bloom forever 
in the Paradise above. 



THIRTEENTH MEDITATION. 

THE father's covenant LOVE. 

Blessed covenant in which you stand ! 
Blessed promises which it holds out to you ! 
Blessed grace which it bestows ! Your faith- 
ful Father will never forget it — never forget 
that you are His child. Hear Him: 



MEDITATIONS FOR BAPTIZED YOUTH. 41 

I will remember my covenant with thee in the days of 
thy youth, and will establish unto thee an everlasting 
covenant.— EzEK. xvi. 60. 

Thus saith the Lord ; If ye can break my covenant of 
the day, and my covenant of the night, and that there 
should not be day and night in their season ; then may 
also my covenant be broken. — Jer. xxxiii. 20. 

As I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no 
more go over the earth ; so have I sworn that I would no 
more be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee. 

For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be re- 
moved ; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, 
neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith 
the Lord that hath mercy on thee. — Is. liv. 9, 10. 

This covenant He has made with you in 
your Baptism. By virtue of it He is your 
Father, and you are His child. You may 
have been a very unworthy and disobedient 
child ; and you may remember, in bitter 
penitence, how often you have neglected His 
grace, and grieved His Spirit, yet a child is 
still a child though it has gone far away from 
its father^s house. The prodigal son was 
still a son when in a foreign land, feeding 
swine, and desiring husks. Hungry, ragged, 
and forsaken of all, he was still a son, and 
his father had still a father's heart toward 
him, and his arms and house were open for 
his return. 

Though you may have thus wandered, and 
sinned against a Father's love, call to mind 
your baptism; and the remembrance of 



42 PREPARATION FOR C0NFIR3IATI0N/ 

God's unchanging covenant love will give 
you a warrant, and inspire you with confi- 
dence and courage to return. Let the good- 
ness of God, in bearing so long with an un- 
grateful and disobedient child, lead you to 
repentance. 



FOUETEENTH MEDITATION. 

REMEMBRANCE OF MY BAPTISM. 

All repentance of a baptized person is but 
a return to God's covenant -mercy, signed 
and sealed in his baptism ; and all hope of 
remission of sin must rest on that covenant 
mercy secured to him in that holy sacrament. 

** It must not be supposed that Baptism is 
administered only for the time j^ast, so that 
for sins into which we fall after baptism it 
would be necessary to seek other new reme- 
dies of expiation in I know not what other 
sacrament, as if the virtue of baptism were 
become obsolete. But we ought to conclude, 
that at whatever time we are baptized, we 
are washed and purified for the vvhole of 
life. Whenever we have fallen, therefore, 
we must recur to the remembrance of bap- 
tism, and arm our minds with the conside- 



MEDITATIONS FOR BAPTIZED YOUTH. 43 

ration of it, that we may always be certified 
and assured of the remission of sins. 

*' If repentance be enjoined upon us as 
long as we live, the virtue of baptism ought 
to be extended to the same period. Where- 
fore it is evident that the pious, whenever, 
in an}'- part of their lives, they are distressed 
with a consciousness of their sins, may justly 
have recourse to the remembrance of bap- 
tism, in order to confirm themselves in the 
confidence of their interest in that one per- 
petual ablution which is enjoyed in the blood 
of Christ.^' ^ 

Thus all proper repentance of a baptized 
person is a return to his baptism, as the sure 
covenant ground on which he may confi- 
dently sue for pardon. You may for a time 
forget the sure foundation, wander from it, 
act and live unworthy of it ; but the cove- 
nant, with its grace, is ever firm, and ever 
present, as the strong arms of everlasting 
love beneath and around you, upon which 
you may ever confidingly fall back for par- 
don and peace. 

When your faith is weakest, when your 
fears are greatest, when your sense of sin is 
deepest, when your way seems darkest, when 
your temptations are strongest, when the 

* Calvin. 



44 PREPARATION FOR CONFIRMATION. 

powers of hell are fiercest, call to mind your 
baptism, and God's unfailing mercy in it. 
Remember that God has made a covenant 
with you which all the power of sin and 
Satan cannot break. Cling to your covenant 
Father ; cling to Jesus, who has sealed the 
covenant with His own blood ; cling to the 
Holy Spirit, who has been given to you in it 
as your abiding help and comfort. Let no- 
thing drive you from this strong refuge. 
Heaven and earth may pass away, but the 
mercy promised in the everlasting covenant 
will not fail. Because God could swear by 
no greater, he swore by Himself, confirming 
His covenant by an oath, that you might 
have strong consolation, and a hope which 
is as an anchor of the soul, both sure and 
steadfast ; and which entereth into that 
within the vail. 

HOPE IN THE COVENANT. 

How oft have sin and Satan strove 
To rend my soul from Thee, my God; 

But everlasting is Thy love, 

And Jesus seals it with His blood. 

The oath and promise of the Lord 
Join to confirm the wondrous grace ; 

Eternal power performs the word, 
And fills all heaven with endless praise. 



MEDITATIONS FOR BAPTIZED YOUTH. 45 

Amidst temptation sharp and long, 
My soul to this dear refuge flies; 

Hope is my anchor firm and strong, 
Whilst tempests blow, and billows rise. 

The Gospel bears my spirits up; 

A faithful and unchanging God 
Lays the foundation of my hope, 

In oaths, and promises, and blood! 



II. 

MEDITATIONS FOR CATECHUMENS, 

THE YOUTHFUL JESUS. 

For youths, Thou didst become a youth, 
that Thou mightest set them an example, 
and sanctify them unto Thyself! 

When Thou wast ''twelve years old,^' Thy 
parents took Thee with them to Jerusalem. 
There Thou didst for the first time enter the 
temple. Then Thou didst become a " Son 
of the Law.'^ Then it is again beautifully 
written of Thee, in almost the same words 
before spoken concerning Thine infancy: 
*'And Jesus increased in wisdom and sta- 
ture, and in favor with God and man ! ^^ St. 
Luke ii. 52. 

In this be Thou my example, Lord Jesus. 

A lovely youth is Thine, Lord Jesus. 
When Thy parents returned from Jerusa- 
lem, Thou didst tarry behind in the holy 
city. Charmed with the temple. Thou didst 
linger among its sacred beauties. Stronger 
than parental love were the drawings of Thy 

(46) 



MEDITATIONS FOR CATECHUMENS. 47 

Father. Thy parents lost Thee, but God's 
holy temple preserved Thee. 

Not in the world wast Thou lost, but in 
the temple. No curiosities of the streets, no 
allurements in places of vain amusement and 
folly detained Thee. The glory of the sanc- 
tuary enchained Thy youthful heart. 

In this be Thou my example, Lord Jesus. 

Among the wise in the temple Thou didst 
chose to sit. Wisdom had a charm for Thee. 
Sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hear- 
ing them, and asking them questions. First 
He hears, then asks. He that hears gathers. 
I must first hear, then ask, then teach. 
Lord Jesus, give me earnestness to seek, hu- 
mility to learn, and piety to practice, wis- 
dom. 

This I may do by imitating Thy example, 
Lord Jesus. 

Jesus the youth ! Twelve years old. He 
still increased in '^stature.'' Tender in 
body, and undeveloped in mind. His young 
and susceptible being was charmed by the 
beauty of the sanctuary, and pleased to learn 
of its teachers ! 

In this be Thou my example. Lord Jesus. 

He increased in wisdom ! In Thy divinity 
Thou wast Thyself the fullness of wisdom, 
but in our nature Thou didst grow in wis- 



48 PREPARATION FOR CONFIRMATION. 

dom like one of us. Thy divinity was not 
lost when Thou didst assume our nature ; it 
was only limited and shaded by the laws of 
our human life. merciful condescension 
to our infirmities, that Thou mightest in all 
things be our pattern ! Lord Jesus, Thou 
didst increase in wisdom ; how much greater 
is my need ! As Thou dost encourage me 
by Thy example, assist me also by Thy 
grace. 

Beautiful youth of Jesus ! In favor with 
God and man Thou didst increase. charm 
me with Thy lovely youthful life. From the 
temptations and sins of youth, Lord Jesus 
deliver me. Possess me by Thy Holy Spirit, 
that I may seek Thee early, and devote all 
the tenderness and vigor of my youthful life 
to Thy blessed service. 

To Thee I now solemnly devote myself as 
a Catechumen ! Hear my vow, Lord Jesus I 
and assist me, by Thy grace, to keep it unto 
the end. 



MEDITATIONS FOR CATECHUMENS. 49 



FIRST MEDITATION. 

THE TEACHER OF MY YOUTH. 

God, Thou hast taught me from my youth. — Ps. 
Ixxi. 17. 

Thou hast taught me from my youth. 
Through my parents, through my teachers, 
through the pastors of Thy Church, Thou 
hast taught me. I can neither remember 
nor tell all the many ways in which Thou 
hast tavight me. But when I think of hea- 
then youth, or see the many youth of 
ungodly parents around me, who are grow- 
ing up in ignorance of Thee and of Thy holy 
religion, I am filled with gratitude for what 
Thou hast done for me. 

Above all, Thou hast taught me by Thy 
Holy Spirit! He was given to me in my 
baptism ; and all through my childhood, by 
a '' still small voice,^^ He drew my tender 
heart away from sin, and allured it toward 
Thee ! Everlasting thanks, heavenly Fa- 
ther, for the gift of the Holy Ghost ! 

Holy Spirit 1 Thou who art true and 
eternal God, with the Father, and the Son ; 
who art also given to me, to make me, by a 
4 



50 PREPARATION FOR CONFIRMATION. 

true faith, partaker of Christ and all Ilis 
benefits ; fulfil in me, I beseech Thee, Thy 
mission of love, and abide with me forever. 



SECOND MEDITATION. 

THE HOPE OF MY YOUTH. 

Thou art my hope, Lord God : Thou art my trust from 
my youth. — Ps. Ixxi. 5. 

NovT I am a Catechumen. Thus far, 
Lord Jesus, Thou hast brought me. If 
Thou hadst not taught me from my youth, 
and drawn me by Thy Holy Spirit, I would 
not now have this desire of being further in- 
structed by the Pastor of Thy Church. For 
my willingness to be a Catechumen I am in- 
debted to Thy grace, Thou my covenant 
God, and Saviour! 

In return for Thy love and mercy, I now 
devote myself to Thee. Even now does my 
grateful heart utter its solemn vow before 
Thee. 1 will earnestly pray for wisdom ; I 
will devoutly study the lessons of faith ; I 
will attentively and devoutly listen to the 
instructions of my Pastor. By the aid of 
Thy Holy Spirit, I will withdraw my heart 



MEDITATIONS FOR CATECHUMENS. 51 

from the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of the 
eye, and the pride of life. 

Knowing the danger of evil company, I 
will avoid all such companions as are not 
pious, and who seek not to grow in grace 
and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. I 
will associate only with the good. I will say 
to the pious in the Church: Thy people shall 
be my people, and thy God my God ! 

Daily will I read Thy most holy word. 
Daily will I meditate on divine things. 
Daily will I pray for the helps of Thy grace. 
Get thee behind me, Satan. Withdraw 
from me, vain and sinful world. Fly from 
me, evil thoughts and unholy desires. I am 
Thine, Father of mercies, and from this 
time forward I will be still more entirely 
Thine. Thou art my hope, Lord God: 
Thou art my trust from my youth ! 



THIRD MEDITATION. 

THE GUIDE OF MY YOUTH. 

"Wilt thou not from this timo cry unto ine. My father 
thou art the guide of my youth. — Jer. iii. 4. 

From this time ! From this time. Thou 
wilt have me cry unto Thee. Solemn and 



52 TREPARATIOX FOR CONFIRMATION. 

blessed time, when I have become a Cate- 
chumen. In Thj name have I made the 
good resolution. Behind me is the world, 
which I have renounced foroTer. Before me 
is the Holy Supper of my Saviour's dying 
love for which I am about to prepare. I am 
weak ; the world, the flesh, and the devil are 
strong. Yes, I will from this time cry unto 
Thee. Holy Spirit, help my infirmities ! 
for I know not what I should pray for as I 
ought. Make Thou intercessions for me with 
groanings that cannot be uttered. 

Thou, my God, givest me words, and in- 
vitest me to cry unto Thee as My Father ! 
In this Thou declarest that I am Thy child. 
Blessed words ! I am an unworthy, and 
sinful child ; but still Thy child. As a Fa- 
ther pitieth his children, so Thou dost pity 
me ; for Thou knowest my frame, and re- 
memberest that I am dust. Thou hast as- 
sured me that if earthly parents, being evil, 
know how to give good gifts unto their chil- 
dren, much more wilt Thou, my heavenly 
Father, give the Holy Spirit in answer to 
my prayers. 

To Thee will I cry, my Father. To Thee 
will I cry, Thou Guide of my youth! 
Thou sayest. Seek ye my face; and my 
heart replies, Thy face, Lord, will I seek. 



MEDITATIONS FOR CATECHUMENS. 53 

Hear, Lord, when I cry with my voice ; 
have mercy also upon me, and answer me. 
Show me Thy ways, Lord ; teach me Thy 
paths. 

Hide not Thy face from me ; put not Thy 
servant away in anger ; Thou hast been my 
help ; leave me not, neither forsake me, 
God of my salvation ! 

Remember not the sins of my youth, nor 
my transgressions ; according to Thy mercy 
remember Thou me for Thy goodness' sake, 
Lord. 



FOURTH MEDITATION. 

THE MONITOR OF MY YOUTH. 

Remeaiber now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, 
while the evil days come npt, nor the years draw nigh, 
when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them. — Eccl. 
xii. 1. 

Affectionate words ! My heart is humbled 
within me that such words must be addressed 
to me. Can I forget Thee, my Creator, Pre- 
server, and Redeemer? The angels are glad 
in Thy presence. The saints above rejoice 
before Thee without ceasing. All the hosts 



54 PREPARATION FOR CONFIRMATION, 

of heaven, and all the redeemed on earth, 
call to mind Thy love, in songs of everlast- 
ing gratitude. How can I forget Thee, 
Lord, from whom cometh down every good 
and perfect gift ! 

Yet how prone is my heart to forget Thee ! 
The moment I cease watching, like a deceit- 
ful bow, it turneth aside. 0, how easily 
does the creature draw my heart from the 
Creator, who is God over all, blessed forever ! 
How often do the things of earth shut out 
the bright glories of Heaven ! 

In the days of my youth ! Yes, these are 
the days of danger to my heart. Hope is 
strong and active. Kainbow glories seem to 
lie on every object ; and even dark clouds 
that threaten are not seen, when the bright 
bow of promise attracts the eye only on itself. 
Earthly joys, like bright, sparkling, morning 
dew, seem to garland every scene of fresh- 
ness in the cheerful, hopeful fields of youth 
which lie around. teach me, dear Father, 
that all these fair promises and bright hopes 
of youth, like youth itself, will pass away 
like the morning cloud and the early dew ! 

make these ardent youthful hopes centre 
in Thee ! Cause these tendrils of feeling to 
cling to Thee. So direct and sanctify my 
youthful seekings after joy, that they may 



MEDITATIONS FOR CATECHUMENS. 55 

find that true and lasting bliss which is only 
found in Thee. 

I know, Lord, that the evil days will 
come, and the years will draw nigh when I 
shall say, I have no pleasure in them. Those 
evil days, when the burden of life shall press 
sorely, when the grave shall open before me, 
when eternity shall be at hand, will indeed 
be evil, if I have not remembered Thee, and 
anchored my hopes in Thy mercy. Then 
will the harvest be past, and the summer 
ended ! 

Lord Jesus, w^ho art the same yesterday, 
and to-day, and forever, incline my heart to 
Thee. All the day may my soul follow hard 
after Thee ; and may I remember Thee also 
upon my bed, and meditate on Thy love in 
the night-watches, while my prayer shall be 
continually to the God of my life. 



FIFTH MEDITATIO^^ 

THE YOKE OF MY YOUTH. 

It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth. 

Lam. iii. 27. 

Take my yoke upon you. These are Thy 
words, Lord Jesus. It is good to bear Thy 
yoke in youth. 



56 PREPARATION FOR CONFIRMATION-. 

By Thy yoke my naturally wild and way- 
ward will must be subdued, and my life 
trained to obedience and usefulness. It is 
good that this be done while my nature is 
yet pliable, and my habits are not yet 
formed. 

It is good for me to be early restrained, 
and instructed in the way in which I ought 
to go. For this reason, a kind heavenly 
Father has placed me under the guard and 
restraint of parents. For this reason He 
has placed me under the watchful care of 
the Church. How good it is that I am sur- 
rounded by those who are older, wiser, and 
more experienced than I am, that I may be 
counselled, warned, and instructed. Lord, 
give me humility and a submissive spirit, 
that I may profit by these advantages. 

I am now also a Catechumen. I know 
that much is expected of me. The eyes of 
others are now fixed on me. My walk and 
conversation will be strictly noticed. This 
will be a restraint on me. It is good for me 
that I bear this yoke. may the thought 
of these things make me watchful, and aid 
in keeping me in my place ! 

I must now yield myself to the influences 
which are to aid in turning my life into the 
right channel. I have not been forced to 



MEDITATIONS FOR CATECHUMENS. 57 

assume these restraints on my spirit and 
conduct. I see that they are good and need- 
ful to me, and hence I desire to be under 
them. may they be means of great good 
to me! 

When I become a full member of the 
Church, I will have still greater restraints 
around me. How must I watch my words, 
and guard my life ! But my profession will 
be a yoke that it will be good for me to bear 
in my youth ; and Thou, my Saviour, wilt 
grant me grace to learn of Thee. Then Thy 
yoke will be easy unto me, and Thy burden 
light. 



SIXTH MEDITATION. 

THE ENEMY OF MY YOUTH. 

Flee also youthful lusts : but follow righteousness, faith, 
charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a 
pure heart. — II Tim. ii. 22. 

Youthful lusts ! how full of danger are 
they ! They come in many forms, from the 
world, the flesh, and the devil. They come 
as friends, promising pleasure ; but behold, 
they are full of poison and death ! If you 
yield to them, and follow them, they will 



58 PREPARATION FOR CONFIRMATION. 

first make you their slave, and then their 
prey. 

They allure you into the way of ruin as 
by a path of roses ; but soon you find dark- 
ness around you, mire and a gulf before 
you, and hell beneath you ! They are as a 
pestilence to soul and body. Therefore flee 
them, even when they beckon to you from a 
distance. Should they ever come near, 
haste, haste away, as did young Joseph 
from Potiphar^s house. Stop your ears from 
hearing, and shut your eyes from seeing. 
Fly for your life ! 

Abhor every impurity. Prayerfully keep 
your body and soul in temperance, sober- 
ness, and chastity. Banish all unclean 
thoughts from your mind, and immediately 
check them by prayer when they arise in 
your heart. Never join in unclean conver- 
sation. Never sing, or listen to low and 
wicked songs. Avoid all corrupting books, 
and indelicate pictures. Shun all low com- 
pany, as you would shun hell itself. Promptly 
call back your desires from all unhol}' and 
forbidden pleasures. Always bear in mind 
that your body is the temple of the Holy 
Ghost ; and that whosoever defileth the tem- 
ple of God, him will God destroy ! 

Yes, Thou holy, holy, holy Lord God, who 



MEDITATIONS FOR CATECHUMENS. 59 

art of purer eyes than to behold iniquity, 
I will seek to lead a pure, chaste, and holy 
life before Thee. Give me the spirit of tem- 
perance, chastity, and sobriety, that I may 
make no provision for the flesh, to fulfil the 
lusts thereof. Pardon, God, in whatso- 
ever I have offended Thee, by meat, and 
drink, and sinful pleasure ; and never let 
my body any more be oppressed with sur- 
feiting and drunkenness, or the enervating 
luxuries of this sensual life. Subdue my 
appetite to reason and Thy grace, that my 
table may not be a snare unto me, nor my 
food become a temptation, a sin, or a dis- 
ease ; but that, my affections being changed 
from earthly to heavenly things, I may 
hunger and thirst after righteousness, and 
account it my meat and drink and pleasure 
to do Thy will, God. Grant this, Lord, 
for Thy Son Jesus Christ^ s sake. Amen. 



SEVENTH MEDITATION. 

HIS PROMISES TO MY YOUTH. 

I -will pour my Spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing 
upon thine offspring. 

And they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows 
by the water courses. 



60 PREPARATION FOR CONFIRMATION. 

One shall say, I am the Lord's ; and another shall call 
himself by the name of Jacob ; and another shall subscribe 
with his hand unto the Lord, and surname himself by the 
name of Israel. — Is. xliv. 3-5. 

Blessed promise! given to my parents; 
but given to them in my behalf. On the 
seed of the pious Thou, Lord, wilt pour out 
Thy Spirit. On their offspring Thou wilt 
bestow Thy blessing. With grateful heart 
I claim this promise and its blessings as my 
own. 

I shall grow up as among the grass. Not 
in a dry, barren place ; but my young life 
shall be surrounded by fresh and growing 
life. Among the 3^oung of Thy Church I 
stand as a plant in a well-watered garden. 
Their fresh and glowing hearts inspire my 
own. may we grow together as young 
trees of Thine own planting, and as tender 
plants of Thine own watering ! 

As willows by the water courses. When 
all other trees are dry and withering, those 
by the water courses are fresh and green. 
Abiding water flows at their roots ! The 
willows — they are earliest green in Spring- 
time, and longest green in Autumn, and 
throughout the long hot Summer there are 
none as fresh and green as they. So shall 
we be, Lord of Life, in Thy Church. 
Those that be planted in the. house of the 



3fEDITATI0NS FOR CATECHUMENS. 61 

Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. 
Perennial, living waters shall flow in my 
soul from the unfailing fountains of Thy 
grace ; and Thy blessing shall come upon 
me in unceasing freshness as the dew of 
heaven. 

Blessed promise ! Yes, Lord, I will say : 
I am the Lord's ! I will call myself by the 
name of Jacob, as a child of the covenant. 
I will subscribe myself with mine own hand 
as Thine own. Lord, seal Thou my name 
by the blood of Jesus, that it may stand in 
Thy book of life forever ! 

HYMN. 

Lord, 'tis a pleasant thing to stand 
In gardens planted by Thy hand; 
Let me within Thy courts be seen, 
Like a young cedar fresh and green. 

There grow Thy saints in faith and love, 
Blest with Thine influence from above; 
Not Lebanon with all its trees 
Yields such a comely sight as these. 

The plants of grnce shall ever live, 
Nature decays, but grace must thrive; 
Time, that doth all things else impair. 
Still makes them flourish strong and fair. 

Laden with fruits of age, they show 
The Lord is holy, just, and true; 
None that attend His gates shall find, 
A God unfaithful or unkind. 



III. 

DAILY DEVOTION FOR THE CATE- 
CHUMEN. 

SOLEMN RENEWAL OF BAPTISMAL VOWS. 

To he used every day^ loitli the Morning and 
Evening Devotions, from the commeneement 
of catechization till the day of Confirma- 
tion. 

When thou shalt vow a vow unto the Lord thy God, 
thou shalt not slack to pay it ; for the Lord thy God will 
surely require it of thee ; and it would be sin in thee. — 
Deut. xxiii. 21. 

If a man vow a vow unto the Lord, or swear an oath to 
hind his soul with a bond ; he shall not break his word, 
he shall do according to all that proceedeth cut of his 
mouth. — Num. xxx. 2. 

Vow and pay unto the Lord your God. — Ps. Ixxvi. 11. 

Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto 
the Most High. — Ps. 1. 14. 

When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it ; 
for He hath no pleasure in fools : pay that which thou 
hast vowed. 

Better is it that thou shouldst not vow, than that thou 
shouldst vow and not pay. — Eccl. v. 4, 5. 

Unto Thee shall the vow be performed. — Ps. Ixv. 1. 

I will pay Thee my vows, which my lips have uttered. — 
Ps. Ixvi. 13. 

My praise shall be to Thee in the great congregation: I 
will pay my vows before them that fear Him. — Ps. xxii. 25. 

(62) 



I 



DAILY DEVOTION FOR THE CATECHUMEN. 63 

I -will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the 
name of the Lord. I will pay my vows unto the Lord 
now in the presence of all His people. — Ps. cxvi. 13, 14. 

Thy vows are upon me, God. — Ps. Ivi. 12. 

Thou shalt make thy prayer unto Him, and He shall 
hear thee, and thou shalt pay thy vows. — Job xxii. 27. 



PEAYER. 

Holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, 
three Persons and one God, to whom I was 
dedicated in Holy Baptism, and to whom I am 
now about to devote myself in confirmation : I 
desire to renew the solemn vows made in my 
name at my Baptism, and publicly to ratify 
and confirm all that my parents then under- 
took for me. 

Possess my heart with such a lively sense 
of Thy great mercy, in bringing me from the 
power of Satan unto God : in giving me an 
early right to Thy covenant, and an early 
knowledge of my duty ; that with fall con- 
sent of my will, I may devote myself to 
Thee : so that I may receive the fullness of 
Thy grace, and be able to withstand the 
temptations of the world, the flesh, and the 
devil. 

Thy l(5ve, my God, is too wonderful for 
me ; I cannot comprehend it ; but my soul 
stands in awe and adores ! Before I could 



64 PREPARATION FOR CONFIRMATION. 

come to Thee, Thou didst incline my parents 
to bring me to Thee ; before I could vow, 
they vowed for me ; before I could dedicate 
myself to Thee, they dedicated me to Thee : 
and Thou, my faithful and covenant God, 
didst hear their vow in my behalf, and re- 
ceive me as one adopted into Thy family. 
Earlier than I can remember, greater than 
I can comprehend, more than I can count, 
have been Thy tender mercies toward me ; 
yet how poor are the returns of love which I 
have made ! How shall I rightly confess 
before Thee, Lord, what I am not able 
fully to remember : the follies and vanities 
of my youth ; neglect and abuse of the 
grace vouchsafed to me in Thy Holy Bap- 
tism; disobedience to the instructions of 
my parents and pastor ; and the grieving of 
Thy Holy Spirit, whom, in my Baptism, 
Thou didst mercifully give me as my secret 
guide. I can only say with the returning 
penitent, I will arise and go to my Father, 
and will say unto Him, Father, I have 
sinned against heaven, and before Thee, 
and am no more worthy to be called Thy 
son! 

Receive my confession, Thou my only 
hope of salvation, Jesus Christ, my Lord and 
God. For I am lost, and altogether over- 



DAILY DEVOTION FOR THE CATECHUMEN. 65 

whelmed with evil in thought, word, and 
deed. Thou who justifiest the ungodly, and 
quickeneth the dead, Lord my God, justify 
me and revive me. Save me, Lord, King 
of eternal glory, who canst save. Grant me 
to will and to do, and to accomplish what is 
pleasing to Thee, and profitable to myself; 
give me aid in distress, consolation in perse- 
cution, and strength in all temptation ; vouch- 
safe me pardon for past evils, amendment of 
present evils, and be pleased to send me pro- 
tection against evils to come. Thine it is to 
give the sinner a stricken heart and a foun- 
tain of tears. It is mine, if Thou shalt 
vouchsafe it, to weep for my sins ; it is Thine 
to efface them speedily, as a cloud. I be- 
seech Thee, Lord, to forget my sins, and 
to remember Thy mercies. Christ, spare 
me, pity me, not according to my deserts, 
but according to Thy mercy. Do not despise 
me, a sinner. Do not cast me away, but 
receive me according to Thy word, that I 
may live, and not be disappointed of my 
hope. Give me a fountain of tears, Foun- 
tain of life. My hope of salvation is in no 
works of mine; but my soul hangs simply 
on the boundlessness of Thy love, and con- 
fides in the multitude of Thy mercy. Hear 
me, Thou my hope and salvation ! 
5 



66 PREPARATION FOR CONFIRMATION. 

merciful Father, let not the many and 
grievous sins which I have committed deprive 
me of those assistances of Thy Holy Spirit, 
which, through the instructions of my pastor, 
and in the solemn rite of Confirmation, I 
expect in larger measure to. receive ; since 
by His blessed help alone I can be made 
able to fulfil my vows by leading a holy and 
obedient life. 

Prosper me, Lord my God, in the learn- 
ing of Thy holy will ; graft in my heart the 
love of Thy name ; increase in me true 
piety ; nourish me with all goodness ; and 
of Thy great mercy keep me in union with 
Thee, and in fellowship with all Thy saints, 
through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, 
with Thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honor 
and glory, world without end. Amen. 

God, who, through Thy holy Apostle, 
hast declared as unto me, that if I confess 
with my mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe 
in my heart that Thou hast raised Him from 
the dead, I shall be saved : grant me grace, 
I beseech Thee, at this time, with all my 
heart to believe unto righteousness, and v^ith 
my mouth to make confession unto salvation : 

1 believe in God the Father, etc. 



DAILY DEVOTION FOR THE CATECHUMEN. 67 

Lord, I believe ; help Thou mine unbelief. 
Increase, strengthen, and confirm my faith ; 
and let it bring forth in my heart and life 
its true and blessed fruits to the praise of 
Thy glorious grace. 

Our Father, etc. 



PRAYER FOR A CATECHUMEN. 

JVhen you liave taken your seat in tlie cate- 
clietical class, arid before the regular in- 
struction begins, lift your heart to God in 
silent meditation and prayer. The folloio- 
ing pi^ayer may assist you. 

Lord Jesus, the true light -which light- 
eneth every man that cometh into the world, 
who hast appointed the ministers of Thy 
word to teach us to observe all things what- 
soever Thou hast commanded ; grant me 
grace, as from the lips of my pastor, to learn 
of Thee. Reveal Thy holy gospel to me ; by 
Thy Holy Spirit enlighten and instruct me 
in the knowledge of God and divine things ; 
open the ears of my heart to be occupied 
with Thy law day and night ; strengthen 
and confirm me in religion ; unite me more 
closely to Thyself and Thy holy flock ; deli- 



05 PREPARATION FOR COXPIRMATION. 

ver me from all impiety, and give no place 
to the adversary to get advantage against 
me ; cleanse me from all pollution of flesh 
and spirit, and dv^ell in me by Thy grace ; 
bless- my going out and my coming in, and 
direct me in all my designs and purposes. 
Prepare me, Lord Jesus, for the full com- 
munion of Thy Church here, and for the 
enjoyment of Thy presence and glory in 
heaven, for the sake of Thy blessed merits 
and mediation. Amen. 



IV. 

A DEVOUT KEVIEW OF BAPTISMAL 
VOWS. 

To he used hy the Catechumen every Sunday, 
or more frequently. This service may also 
he used after Confirmation, in preparation 
for the Holy Communion. 

FIKST VOW. 

I renounce the devil, loith all his ways and 
works. 



QUESTIONS FOR SELF-EXAMINATION. 

Am I proud ? 

Do I look down disdainfully on any one? 
Am I deceitful ? 
Am I deceiving any one ? 

Have I been hypocritical in my words or actions? 
Have I rebelled acjainst anything that is good? 
Have I entertained wicked thoughts? 
Do I really hate sin ? 

Does my remaining depravity humble me ? 
Do I mourn over its motions in my heart? 
Does it wound and distress me to see sin in others? 

(69) 



70 PREPARATION FOR CONFIRMATION. 

Then cometh the devil, and taketh the word out of their 
hearts, lest they should believe and be saved, — Luke 
viii. 12. 

God, as man liveth not by bread alone, 
but by every word that proceedeth out of 
Thy mouth, let not Satan prevail to take 
that word out of my heart. Grant me grace 
always to give earnest heed to the things 
which I have heard, lest at any time I should 
let them slip ; and from all neglect and con- 
tempt of Thy word : 

Good Lord deliver me. 

Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into 
the condemnation of the devil. — 1 Tim. iii. 6. 

From all evil and harm ; from pride and 
vainglory ; from the power of sin, and the 
snares of the devil : 

Good Lord deliver me. 

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, 
as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may 
devour ; whom resist, steadfast in the faith. — 1 Pet. v. 8, 9. 

Help me to be sober, and watch unto 
prayer, that I may go forth in the strength 
of the Lord ; and Thou, Lord Jesus, who 
didst meet and overcome the tempter in the 
wilderness, and hast appeared to destroy the 
works of the devil, make me strong in the 
power of Thy might. That it may please 
Thee to beat down Satan under my feet : 

1 beseech Thee to hear me, Lord. 



DEVOUT REVIEW OF BAPTIS3fAL VOWS. 71 

We wrestle not with flesh and blood, but against princi- 
palities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness 
of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high placeai 
— Eph. vi. 12. 

Lord, strong and mighty, may I be 
strong in Thee, and in the power of Thy 
might, against Satan and his angels. Though 
he is the god of this world, the prince of the 
power of the air, and the name of his host 
is Legion, Thou art head of the everlasting 
armies, and have all power in heaven and in 
earth. Greater is He, more are they, that 
are for me than they that are against me ; 
therefore my soul shall not fear. Clothe 
me, Lord Jesus, with Thy whole armor, 
that I may be able to stand against the wiles 
of the devil. May I not be ignorant of his 
subtle devices, who transforms himself into 
an angel of light; but as Thou makest me 
strong against his power, so make me wise 
against all his wiles. 

Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 

James iv. 7. 

In every evil day of temptation furnish 
Thou me, Lord, with strength and de- 
fence ; that having my loins girt about with 
truth, and having on the breast-plate of 
righteousness; and my feet shod with the 
preparation of the Gospel of peace ; above 



72 PREPARATION FOR CONFIRMATION. 

all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith I 
may be able to quench all the fiery darts of 
the wicked; and the helmet of salvation, 
and the sword of the Spirit, which is the 
word of God ; and praying always with all 
prayer and supplication, I may always re- 
cover myself from every snare of the devil, 
and never be taken captive by him at his 
will. 

He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil 
sinneth fram the beginning. For this purpose the Son of 
God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of 
the devil. — 1 John iii. 8. 

From all the works and ways of the devil ; 
from all sin in thoughts, desires, words, and 
acts ; from its present power and from its 
eternal consequences ; 

Good Lord deliver me. 

I beseech Thee, Lord, by the mystery 
of our Saviour^s temptation, to arm me with 
the same mind that was in Him toward all 
evil and sin ; and give me grace to keep my 
body in such holy discipline, that my mind 
may be always ready to resist Satan, and 
obey the motions of Thy Holy Spirit: 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



DEYOUT REVIEW OF BAPTISMAL VOWS. 73 



SECOND YOW. 

I renounce tJie looi^ld loitli its vain poinp 
and glory. 

QUESTIONS FOR SELF-EXAMINATION. 

Do I seek my happiness in the things of this world — in 
its riches, honors, or pleasures ? 

Do I think more of these than of my salvation? 

Do I ever neglect my religious duties on account of 
these ? 

Have I been so taken up in these as to unfit me for 
religious exercises? 

Am I fond of vain amusements? 

Do I love extravagant dress and display before others? 

Do I avoid all those things in which ungodly persons 
find their pleasure? 

Do I act as if I felt that the world and the things that 
are in it Avere passing away ? 



The devil taketh him up into an exceeding high moun- 
tain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and 
the glory of them ; 

And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if 
thou wilt fall down and worship me. 

Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan : for 
it is written, Tliou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and 
him only shalt thou serve. 

Then the devil leaveth him, and behold, angels came 
and ministered unto him. — St. Matt. iv. 8-11. 

From love of this vain world ; 

Erom all unholy desires for earthly pomp 



74 PREPARATION FOR CONFIRMATION. 

and glory ; from ambition and pride ; from 
covetousness and avarice ; 

Good Lord deliver me. 

By Thy fasting and temptation in the wil- 
derness ; by Thy contempt of earthly riches 
and glory ; and by Thy victory over the 
subtle charms and proud promises of the 
devil ; 

Good Lord deliver me. 

What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole 
world, and lose his own sonl ? 

Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? — 
St. Mark, viii. 36, 37. 

Almighty and everlasting God, mercifully 
grant unto me, that all deadly pleasures may 
be cast aside, and that no interests of earth 
may rob me of the everlasting bliss of 
heaven ; but rather, may I always be will- 
ing to lose my life for Thy sake and the 
gospeFs, that I may find it and keep it eter- 
nally : through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our 
Lord Je.^us Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto 
me, and I unto the world. — Gal. vi. 14. 

Bestow on me, Lord, the spirit of Thy 
holy martyrs, of whom the world was not 
worthy ; who were willing, for the precious 
faith of Christ, to be destitute, afflicted, tor- 
mented ; and who, for no promises of life, 



DEVOUT REVIEW OF BAPTISMAL VOWS. 75 

accepted deliverance, that they might obtain 
a better resurrection ; and, like Thy servant 
Moses, who esteemed the reproach of Christ 
greater riches than the treasures of Egypt, 
may I be willing to count all that earth can 
offer but loss in comparison with that far 
more exceeding and eternal weight of glory 
which awaits the faithful at the coming, aild 
in the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity 
"with God? Whosoever, therefore, will he a friend of the 
•world, is the enemy of God. — James iv. 4. 

Lord my God, since righteousness can 
have no fellowship with unrighteousness, 
and light can hold no communion with dark- 
ness ; since Christ can have no concord with 
Belial, nor the temple of God be in agree- 
ment with idols ; and as Thou hast com- 
manded me not to be conformed to this 
world: grant that I may never be unequally 
yoked together with these, but may come 
out from among them and be separate, so 
that I may not touch an}^ unclean thing, and 
that my soul and body, which Thou hast 
made Thy temple, may be kept pure as Thy 
habitation through Thy Holy Spirit. 

Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father 
is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affiic- 



76 PREPARATION FOR CONFIRMATION. 

tioDj and to keep himself unspotted from the world. — 
James i. 27. 

Vouchsafe unto me, Lord, grace to re- 
nounce the vain pomp and glory of the 
world, and to choose the ways of charity and 
good works, that being wholly taken up with 
labors of mercy, I may escape the corrup- 
tions that are in the world through lust, and 
attain unto glory, and honor, and immor- 
tality : through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Lore not the world, neither the things that are in the 
world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father 
is not in him. 

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and 
the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the 
Father, but is of the world. 

And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but 
he that doeth the will of God abideth forever. — 1 John 
ii. 15—17. 

From the love of the world and the things 
that are in it ; from the lust of the flesh, the 
lust of the eyes, and the pride of life ; from 
all baseness, that defiles, and from all emp- 
tiness, that passeth away : 

Good Lord deliver me. 

Whatsoever is born of God, overcometh the world; and 
this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our 
faith. 

Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that be- 
lieveth that Je^us is the Son of God. — 1 John t. 4, 5. 



DEVOUT REVIEW OF BAPTISMAL VOWS. 77 

Almighty God, who hast brought again 
from the dead our Lord Jesus, the glorious 
Prince of salvation, with everlasting victory 
over hell and the grave; grant unto me 
power, I beseech Thee, to rise with Ilim to 
newness of life, that I may overcome the 
world with the victory of faith, and have 
part at last in the resurrection of the just: 
through the merits of this same risen Sa- 
viour, who liveth and reigneth with Thee 
and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world 
without end. Amen. 



THIRD VOW. 

I renounce tlie fleslij loitli all its sinful 
devices. 

QUESTIONS FOR SELF-EXAMINATION. 

Do I abhor all sins of impurity? 

Do I aToid seeing or hearing anything which corrupts 
the heart ? 

Do I strive to keep my body in temperance a,nd chas- 
tity ? 

Do I abhor unclean thoughts, and check them by prayer 
when they arise ? 

Have I ever joined in immodest conversation ? 

Have I sung, or listened to, low and corrupting songs? 

Do I avoid all corrupting books ? 



78 PREPARATION FOR CONFIRMATION. 

Do I call back my desires from all unholy and forbidden 
pleasures ? 

Do I shun all low and evil company ? 

Do I keep in mind that my body is the temple of the 
Holy Ghost? 



Flee also youthful lusts. — 2 Tim. ii. 22. 

Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the 
flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind : for 
he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin. 

That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the 
flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. 

For the time past of our life may suffice us to have 
wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in las- 
civiousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, 
and abominable idolatries : 

Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with 
them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you. — 
1 Pet. iv. 1—4. 

From all impure lusts and desires ; and 
from all the deceits of the world, the flesh, 
and the devil, 

Good Lord deliver me. 

Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and 
drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in 
strife and envying. 

But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no pro- 
vision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. — Rom. xiii. 
13, 14. 

Vouchsafe me, gracious God, the graces 
of mortification and self-denial, that my 
affections and flesh being subdued unto the 
Spirit, and my heart and all my members 
being mortified from carnal and worldly 



DEVOUT REVIEW OF BAPTISMAL VOWS. 79 

lusts, I may ever obey Thy blessed will: 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of 
God. 

But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of 
his own lust, and enticed. 

Then, when lust hath conceived, it hringeth forth sin ; 
and sin, when it is finished, hringeth forth death.— James 
i. 13—15. 

lie that soweth to his flesh, shall of the flesh reap cor- 
ruption : but he that soweth to the Spirit, shall of the 
Spirit reap life everlasting. — Gal. vi. 8. 

Therefore we are debtors not to the flesh, to live after 
the flesh. 

For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye 
through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye 
shall live. — Rom. viii. 12, 13. 

From the power of temptation, Good Lord 
deliver me. Absolve me from the guilt, de- 
liver me from the power, cleanse me from 
the pollution, save me from the punishment 
of all sinful desires. Effectually wean me 
from all low delights of sense, the end of which 
is death ; and endow me with all those beau- 
tiful graces and pure affections which have 
their fruit unto holiness, and the end ever- 
lasting life. 

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not 
fulfil the lusts of the flesh. 

For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit 
against the flesh ; and these are contrary the one to the 
other; so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 



80 PREPARATION FOR CONFIRMATION. 

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are 
these, Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 

Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, 
strife, seditions, heresies, 

Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such 
like ; of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you 
in time past, that they which do such things shall not in- 
herit the kingdom of God. 

And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh, with 
the affections and lusts. — Gal. v. 16-21, 24. 

holy and blessed Jesus, wlio wast born 
of a pure virgin, and deliglitest to dwell in 
the hearts of the pure, behold with mercy 
Thy frail and sinful servant, encompassed 
with infirmities and exposed to the tempta- 
tions of fleshly lusts, which war against the 
soul. I cannot stand, Lord, in the day 
of battle and danger unless Thou coverest 
me with Thy shield, and hidest me under 
Thy wings. keep me so pure and spot- 
less, so chaste and clean, that my body may 
be a holy temple meet for the habitation of 
Thy Spirit, and my soul a partaker of Thy 
purity and love ! Pardon all my past im- 
purities, whether in thought, word, or deed ; 
and subdue in me the spirit of impurit}'' and 
corruption. Kindle the holy fire of Thy 
love in my heart, and let it consume all the 
dross with which it has been hitherto de- 
filed ; and grant that I may no more grieve 



DEVOUT REVIEW OF BAFTISMAL VOWS. 81 

Thy blessed Spirit by any works of dark- 
ness, but that after a pure and holy life 
here, I may be presented unto God washed 
and cleansed in Thy blood, and reign with 
Thee for ever and ever. Amen, Holy Lamb 
of God, Amen. 



CONFIEMATION. 

The doctrine of laying on of hands. — Heb. Ti. 2. 

You are about to receive, by the laying on 
of hands, the solemn rite of confirmation. 
It is highly important that you should know, 
and well consider, what this rite is in itself, 
and what blessings it is designed to bestow 
on those who devoutly, and in faith, attend 
to it. The laying on of hands is called " a 
doctrine'^ — a truth, important to be taught, 
and to be known. (Heb. vi. 2.) It is ranked 
among "the principles of the doctrine of 
Christ.^^ It is one of the starting-points in 
religion. It belongs to the fundamentals 
of Christianity. It is, therefore, in religion 
what a foundation stone is in a building. 

It is ranked by the holy Apostle among 
such doctrines and principles as repentance, 
faith, baptisms, resurrection of the dead, 
and eternal judgment. Thus we are im- 
pressed with its solemnity by the company 
in which it appears. This shows us the im- 
portance of the doctrine. This should also 

(82) 



CONFIRMATION. 83 

create in us a desire to understand what this 
doctrine is. 

Let us look first id the liistory of this doc- 
trine and ordinance. 

If we look into the history of this ordi- 
nance, we find it first practised by pious 
parents in behalf of their children, and by 
patriarchs to their generations. By the lay- 
ing on of hands Jacob blessed his own sons 
(Gen. xlix. 28) ; and also his grandchildren, 
the two sons of Joseph. (Gen. xlviii. 9-14.) 
It was done to the sacrifices which were to 
be ofiered for sin. (Num. viii. 12.) It was 
done by Moses to Joshua, when he became 
his successor. (Num. xxvii. 18-23.) It was 
done by our Saviour to little children, which 
were brought to Him for that purpose. 
(Matt. xix. 15.) It was often done by our 
Saviour to the sick, and afflicted, when he 
healed them. (Mark vi. 5 ; Luke iv. 40 ; 
xiii. 13.) The disciples were directed to do 
the same. (Mark xvi. 18.) 

We find also that it was done by Paul to 
a sick man. (Acts xxviii. 8.) 

It was done to Christians, after they had 
believed and had been baptized, by way of 
confirming their faith, and completing their 
baptism, through the communication of the 
Holy Ghost. (Acts viii. 17; xix. G.) In tlio 



84 PREPARATION FOR CONFIRMATION. 

latter case it was done immediately upon 
baptism — that baptism might not be only 
a "washing away/^ but also a "putting 
on/^ 

It was done in setting apart sacred per- 
sons to office. Thus it was done to Paul 
and Barnabas. (Acts xiii. 3.) So also was 
Timothy set apart and endowed with a holy 
gift. (1 Tim. iv. 14.) So also did Timothy 
endow others. (1 Tim. v. 22.) 

Such is the Scripture history of this ordi- 
nance. 

We find that in all these different ways 
has the "laying on of hands^^ been con- 
tinued in the practice of the church. 

The act of blessing children, by laying 
the hand upon their heads after the manner 
of Jacob, has been imitated by many a dying 
parent — a solemnity of which we have all 
read, and which we have perhaps all wit- 
nessed. It is an act prompted by piety and 
parental love, sanctioned by scriptural pre- 
cedent, and wonderfully significant, solemn, 
and impressive. 

The custom of blessing little children, 
after the manner of Christ, though it has 
never been a formal ordinance in the church, 
has always existed in the familiar practice 
of the pious. Many a child has felt upon its 



CONFIRMATION. 85 

Lead the hand of a pious elder, sponsor, pas- 
tor, or aged saint, accompanied with a ''God 
bless you, my child, ^^ and some simple ^Yord 
of pious admonition which was never forgot- 
ten. Who can fail to see in this the natural 
and appropriate spirit of childlike piety? 
Who will say such a blessing does not truly 
bless, when it is imparted devoutly, by 
prayer, and by faith. 

Do not some of us recollect such acts of 
piety and love bestowed upon us in our 
childhood? and has not the remembrance of 
such acts often reminded us anew, and with 
increased solemnity, of our early consecra- 
tion to God ? The very thought that hands, 
which are now turned into ashes in the grave, 
and pious spirits which are now before the 
throne, have once blessed us, is full of inspi- 
ration and holy savor to our hearts. 

The laying of the hand upon the sick, as 
Christ and his apostles did, though it may 
not pretend to impart any miraculous heal- 
ing power, is an act of piety, of love, and 
of sympathy, which is as truly prompted by 
warm Christian feeling as it is sanctioned by 
precedent of the Holy Scriptures. 

Even as a merely natural act, it is not 
without its consolations, its encouragement, 
and its alleviating and reviving influence 



86 PREPARATION FOR CONFIRMATION. 

upon the spirits of the sick. The pressure 
of a hand, when we are well, is not without 
its life to the soul, indicating to us that an- 
other cares that we exist ; how much more 
quickening to the drooping spirits of the 
sick is the pressure of the hand of sympa- 
thizing love upon an aching head and fevered 
brow ! This we have all felt. It is as if we 
had hold upon the strength of the living, 
and as if one who has power himself to do 
so,' had said to us in the friendly touch, 
''Rise and walk — revive and live!^' 

But we have no right to regard such an 
act as merely natural. It belongs to the 
sphere of faith and grace. It is a pious act, 
like prayer, if it be done piously, and in the 
name of Jesus. We may, therefore, believe 
that the natural act is, through faith and 
prayer, sanctified by supernatural power, 
and rendered a true blessing by the mighty 
efficacy of grace. 

The laying on of hands in connection with 
baptism, and after baptism, as the apostles 
did to the believers in Samaria, has in all 
ages been practised by the Church. Those 
who were baptized in their infancy, had that 
act and grace confirmed to them when they 
themselves assumed their baptismal vows. 
It seems to be this rite that the apostle refers 



CONFIRMATION. 87 

to in Hebrews vi. 2. The laying on of hands 
there comes, in order, after repentance, faith, 
and baptism. It is the act of full initiation 
into the Church, and of confirmation in 
grace. 

Let us further inquire. 

What is the substance of this act, and 
what blessing or grace does it bestow ? 

We must not regard it as an empty form- 
as an unmeaning, powerless, graceless act. 
This would be to charge God with folly. 
With God form and power are always one. 
We must not neglect it, set it aside, and 
treat it as though it did not exist. This 
many persons practically do. It exists in 
the practice of the Church as a divine fact, 
and is presented to us as one of the princi- 
ples and doctrines of Christ. It is an ordi- 
nance that exists for us ; and it becomes us 
to inquire what it is to us, and what we are 
to seek in it, and expect from it. 

1. Confirmation is a divine act by which 
those who receive it are laid hold of by God, 
and are claimed for Him. 

This is already signified to us by the act 
itself. The person from whom we receive 
the laying on of hands is one who acts for 
God. He is God^s representative — through 
his hands God reaches forth to us, and lays 



bb PREPARATION FOR CONFIRMATION. 

hold on US. Hence always the liiglier lays 
his hands on and confirms the lower — the 
ordained minister confirms the catechumen. 

To lay hands on anything, in the Scrip- 
ture sense of that expression, means to take 
it, to claim it, to secure it. (Obad. 13.) 

In reference to Paul and Barnabas, the 
Holy Ghost said: ^'Separate me Barnabas 
and Saul for the work, whereunto I have 
called them. And when they had fasted 
and prayed, and laid their hands on them, 
they sent them away.^^ (Acts xiii. 2, 3.) By 
this act they separated them — seized them 
for God — claimed them for his special 
service. 

So the ram, on which Aaron and the Le- 
vites laid their hands, was now, by that act, 
claimed as the sin-ofi'ering. So elders, dea- 
cons, and ministers are, by the laying on of 
hands, claimed of God as his special ser- 
vants. So pious dying parents claim their 
children for the service of that God whom 
they have served, and to whom they now 
solemnly commend them. 

So, in Confirmation, God lays His hands 
on those who are His by the covenant, and 
by vows, and claims them for Himself. 

The act now requires on their part to yield 
to Him ; to own the claim, and not to tear 



CONFIRMATION. ©y 

themselves out of God^s hands. The solemn 
act asks from them a consecration to God of 
that which He claims as His own. 

He has a right to claim our services as 
private Christians — He has a right to lay 
His hands upon us, and set us apart as a 
royal priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices 
to Him by Jesus Christ. We must find our 
happiness in cheerfully yielding to His 
claims. 

2. The laying on of hands also imparts 
power and grace to act in God's name. 

This also the act itself signifies and repre- 
sents to us. It means to shed forth, to be- 
stow, to communicate. It is the act of 
blessing — of giving or transferring power, 
authority, and grace. 

Thus this signification of the act only 
carries out, and completes, the other. For 
those whom the Lord claims He also blesses. 
The same hand which claims us for God also 
imparts to us His blessing, and bestows on 
us His grace. The laying on of hands is 
therefore a double act : In it God takes us to 
Himself, and gives Himself to us. Jesus 
took little children to His arms, and then 
blessed them. 

God commanded Moses to lay his hands 
on Joshua, and to give him a charge. (Num. 



90 PREPARATION FOR CONFIRMATION. 

xxvii. 18-23.) That this was a bestowment, 
not only of office as his successor, but also 
of power and grace to fulfil that office, is 
evident. It is afterward said: *' And Joshua 
the son of Nun was full of the spirit of 
wisdom ; for Moses had laid Ms hands upon 
him; and the children of Israel hearkened 
unto him.^' (Deut. xxxiv. 9.) 

We find that Jesus always communicated 
healing power to those sick upon whom He 
laid His hands. (Mark vi. 5 : Luke iv. 40 ; 
xiii. 13.) We find also that the people ex- 
pected, and believed, that healing power 
was communicated in this way. Hence the 
ruler of the synagogue asked directly that 
this might be done. He does not say, come 
and heal her, but ''come and lay thy hands 
upon her, that she may he healed J ^ (Mark v. 
23.) This was known to him as the divine 
order and way of bestowing renovating 
power ! 

The apostles bestowed healing power upon 
the sick in the same way. (Acts xxviii. 8.) 

We find also that the gift of office — the 
right, the power, the grace to act for God, 
was bestowed in the same way. Paul says 
to Timothy : '' Neglect not the gift which is 
in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, 



CONFIRMATION. 91 

"with the laying on of the hands of the pres- 
bytery/' (1 Tim. iv. 14: 2 Tim. i. 6, 7.) 

This gift, or grace, was given with the 
laying on of hands. It was the grace needed 
in the office to which the same act conse- 
crated him. That grace was now in him — . 
it had not been in him before — and he is 
exhorted not to neglect it. 

It seems that Paul himself had also laid 
his hands on Timothy ; perhaps he was also 
assisted in it by presbyters. He says to 
him: 'M put thee in remembrance, that 
thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee 
by the putting on of my hands.'' Here 
again he speaks of a gift or grace which 
was thus imparted. He also immediately 
adds: "For God hath not given us the spirit 
of fear ; but of power ^ and of love, and of a 
sound mind." (2 Tim. i. 6, 7.) 

The laying on of hands also bestowed the 
gift of the Holy Ghost. In regard to those who 
"received the Word" at Samaria, it is said: 
"Then laid they their hands upon them, and 
they received the Holy Ghost. And when 
Simon saw that through laying on of the 
apostle's hands the Holy Ghost was given, he 
offered them money." (Acts viii. 17, 18.) 

In reference to the newly baptized at 
Ephesus, it is said: "And when Paul had 



92 PREPARATION POR CONFIRMATION. 

laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost 
came on them/^ (Acts xix. 6.) In both 
these cases they were private Christians, 
and not such as were ordained to office. We 
may, therefore, claim the bestowment of the 
Holy Ghost in the confirmation and conse- 
cration of private Christians. Thus they are 
ordained to the universal priesthood of saints, 
by the solemn rite of Confirmation. 

Why may we not expect the same efi'ects 
to flow from the same act now? We are 
under the same dispensation. We have still 
"the doctrine of the laying on of hands.^^ 
God, and grace, have not changed ! Do we 
not find also that this is the very gift pro- 
mised to all believers — namely, the gift of 
the Holy Ghost. He is given us .to abide 
with us forever. He is to dwell in the saints 
as in His own temple. Are not Christians 
to live and to walk in the spirit ? Is not He 
to be the life of all our services — our Light, 
our Guide, our Sanctifier, and our Com- 
forter ? 

If He strives with us, reproves us, woos us, 
and convinces us of sin, of righteousness, 
and of a judgment to come, before we are 
Christians, why should not He be given us, 
in a peculiar manner, when we at length 
yield to His power and grace ? If He is so 



CONFIRMxVTION. 93 

given, why may not this great and glorious 
gift be bestowed by *' the laying on of 
hands ?^' — and bestowed in just such mea- 
sure as we need. Yea, the Holy Ghost is so 
given, as we are divinely assured ; — blessed 
are they who have faith to receive Ilim ! 

Let it be remembered that no human 
being professes, from himself, to bestow 
such a grace. Human hands are only the 
means and the medium — the power is of 
God. It can only be done in His name, and 
in dependence upon Him. 

It is remarkable that when the apostles 
laid their hands on any, the act was always 
preceded by prayer. AYhen our Saviour did 
it, it was not so preceded. The reason is 
plain, and at once evident. Our Saviour 
had the power in ^^im^eZ/— the apostles had 
it hy gift from God, for which they found it 
necessary to ask. (Acts iii. 12.) 

So noAV, the gift is through the hands of 
ordained men, but not from them or by them. 
Yet in answer to prayer it is bestowed. We 
must look away from the feeble instruments, 
to Him who has ordained that through "the 
laying on of their hands'^ all needed autho- 
rity, power, and grace should be freely given. 

As it requires prayer on the part of those 
who administer Confirmation, so also docs it 



94 PREPARATION FOR CONFIRMATION". 

require preparedness on the part of those 
who receive it. Even when Jesus Himself 
gave a blessing by the laying on of His 
hands, it had to be received b}^ faith. Even 
He could only do mighty works to those who 
believed. 

"When the apostles gave the gift of the 
Holy Ghost to those who believed at Sama- 
ria, one who was in the gall of bitterness 
and the bonds of iniquity, also desired it, 
and would have purchased it with money. 
He had no inward preparation for it — no 
faith, no prayerful spirit. To him they 
said: ** Thou hast no part nor lot in this 
matter ; for thine heart is not right in the 
sight of God.^^ He received not the bless- 
ing, because he had not the preparation for it. 

Have faith in the ordinance, for it is or- 
dained to communicate a blessing. See that 
you approach it with an humble, penitent, 
and believing heart. Once more solemnly 
review your life. Once more renew your 
vows. Once more, in the strength of Christ 
Jesus, renounce the world, the flesh, and the 
devil. Once more cast yourself down upon 
your knees before Him, and implore the 
help of His grace. Then come with a firm, 
believing heart, unto the altar of God — unto 
God, your exceeding joy. 



CONFIRMATION. 95 



DEVOTIONS FOR CONFIRMATION 
DAY. 

DEYOTIONS FOR THE CLOSET. 

TnET shall ask the way to Zion with their faces thither- 
ward, saying, Come and let us join ourselves to the Lord 
in a perpetual covenant that shall never he forgotten. — 
Jer. 1. 5. 

The mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed ; 
but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall 
the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that 
hath mercy on thee. — Is. liv. 10. 

If ye can break my covenant of the day, and my cove- 
nant of the night, and that there should not be day and 
night in their season ; then may also my covenant be 
broken. — Jer. xxxiii. 21. 

A MEDITATION. 

Hail, happy morning ! In great mercy, 
Lord Jesus, thou hast permitted me to see 
the day on which I am to renew my Bap- 
tismal vows, and receive my solemn conse- 
cration to thy blessed service. Hail, holy 
day of my soul, day of my Lord, day of grace 
and salvation such as has never yet dawned 
on my life, and which I shall never again 
behold ; day of solemn decision for life ! As 
it is a day of hope and joy to my soul, so may it 



96 PREPARATION FOE CONFIRMATION. 

be a day of blessing, and of pleasant remem- 
brances to my lifers end ! 

Before the solemn transaction, I once more 
call in my thoughts, and pray : 

Lord, my God, I am consecrated to Thee 
in Thy holy covenant, I will now also devote 
myself to Thee by a solemn vow. At the 
thought of this a new holy feeling streams 
through my soul ! May these hopeful emo- 
tions be first-fruits of the blessedness which 
awaits me at Thine altar, when Thou, by the 
hands of Thy servant, wilt fully and finally 
claim me as Thine, and seal me for Thy- 
self. 

Lord, add grace to grace, mercifully 
granting me in this hour of preparation what 
may still be wanting to me. Bestow on me 
a deep sense of my weakness and sinfulness, 
repentance for the follies of my youth, grati- 
tude for Thy manifold mercy, true faith in 
Jesus Christ my Saviour, and love for His 
love. be strength in my weakness 1 

Lord Jesus, instruct and direct me by Thy 
Spirit in this solemn hour. Holy Spirit, 
fill me with Thy light and comfort. eter- 
nal Father, receive me as Thy child, and 
make me Thy heir of the life eternal. 
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, deliver me 
from darkness, sin, and everlasting death. 



CONFIRMATION. 97 

Lord Jesus, I desire to be Thine in soul 
and body, in life and in death. Be Thou 
henceforth my Prophet, to teach me ; my 
Priest, to atone and intercede for me ; my 
King, to direct and defend m3. Be Thou my 
way, my truth, and my life. Whom have I 
in heaven but Thee ? and there is none upon 
earth that I desire besides Thee. Thou shalt 
guide me with Thy counsel, and afterward 
receive me to glory ! 

blessed Advocate, who art able to save 
them for ever who come unto God by Thee, 
seeing thou livest to make intercession for 
us, I put my cause into Thy hands. Let Thy 
power defend me ; Thy Blood and Merits 
plead for me. Supply all the defects of my 
repentance and faith, and procure a full dis- 
charge of all my sins. 

By Thy mighty grace, confirm and 
strengthen me in all goodness during the 
remainder of my life, so that I may not live 
unto myself, but for Him who died for me 
and rose again, and so come at last to Thine 
everlasting kingdom. 

Keep me, Lord, in union and fellowship 
with Thy Church, of which I am now to be 
made a complete member, that I may im- 
prove all the means of grace vouchsafed in 
it, and be gathered at last, with all the 
7 



98 PREPARATION FOR CONFIRMATION. 

ransomed, into the Church triumphant in 
heaven. 

Possess mj mind, heavenly Father, vfith 
a constant sense of that vow, which I am 
this day going to renew, before Thee and 
Thy Church ; that, knowing I am the servant 
of the living God, I may walk in His sight, 
avoid all such things as are contrary to my 
profession, and follow all such things as are 
agreeable to the same : through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. 

Father Almighty, who hast made me 
Thy child by adoption and grace, fill me with 
such a measure of Thy Spirit, that in Thy 
good time I may come to Thine everlasting 
kingdom and glory: through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. 

my Father, for Jesus^ sake, impart to 
me this day, through the laying on of hands, 
in larger measure, the Holy Ghost, by whose 
help alone I shall be able to put off more and 
more the old man, which is corrupt accord- 
ing to the deceitful lusts, and to be renewed 
in the spirit of my mind, that I may put on 
the now man, which after God is created in 
righteousness and true holiness. 

This, God, is what I desire and purpose 
by Thy grace to do. 

1 do most solemnly renew those vows 



CONFIRMATION. 99 

which were made in my behalf in my bap- 
tism, and which I have since often renewed, 
but too often broken. 

I renounce the devil with all his ways and 
works. 

I renounce the world with its vain pomp 
and glory. 

I renounce the flesh with all its sinful de- 
sires. 

I resolve, by Thy grace, neither to follow, 
or be led by them. 

I steadfastly believe all the Articles of the 
Christian Faith : In God, the Father, who 
created me ; in God, the Son, who has re- 
deemed me; in God, the Holy Ghost, who 
sanctifies me. This Holy, Blessed, and Ado- 
rable Trinity, Three in One and One in Three, 
is my only True and Eternal God, in whom 
is all my trust and hope of salvation. 

Protected by the Love of the Father, sus- 
tained and furthered by the Grace of the 
Son, quickened and comforted by the Com- 
munion of the Holy Ghost, grant, my God, 
that I may live in Thy fear, die in Thy favor 
and peace, rest in hope, and attain to the 
resurrection of the just. 

Our Father, etc. 



100 PREPARATION FOR CONFIRMATION. 



HYMN. 

Lord, I am thine, entirely thine, 
Purchased and saved hy blood divine; 
With full consent, Thine I would "be, 
And own Thy sovereign right in me. 

Here, Lord, my flesh, my soul, my all, 
I yield to Thee, beyond recall; 
Accept Thine own so long withheld, 
Accept what I so freely yield. 

Grant one poor sinner more a place 
Among the children of thy grace; 
A wretched sinner, lost to God, 
But ransomed by Immanuel's blood. 

Do Thou assist a feeble worm, _ 
The great engagement to perform; 
Thy grace can full assistance lend, 
And on that grace I dare depend. 



DEVOTIONS IN THE CHURCH ON 
CONFIRMATION-DAY. 

When you come to your peiv, say : 

I have waited for Thy salvation, Lord ! 
I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and 
in Ilis word do I hope. My soul waiteth for 
the Lord more than they that watch for the 
morning. Let Thy mercy, Lord, be upon 
me, according as I hope in Thee. 



CONFIRMATION. 101 

I humbly beseech Thee, Lord, in the 
name of Jesus Christ, for whose sake Thou 
hearest us always : 

Be Thou our Wisdom, to give us the know- 
ledge of religion ; 

Our Understanding, to know our duty; 

Our Counsel in all doubts ; 

Our Strength against all temptations ; 

Our Knowledge in what belongs to the 
state of life in which Thy providence shall 
place us ; 

Our Piety and Godliness in all our actions ; 

Our Fear all our life long. 

These things I ask, God and Father, for 
myself, and for all who are now to be con- 
firmed, that we may be restored to Thy like- 
ness, and never deface it by our sins ; that 
the image of Satan may be destroyed in us ; 
that all carnal affections may die in us ; and 
that all things belonging to the Spirit may 
dwell in our hearts by faith ; that Thy 
Name, and the Name of our Lord Jesus 
Christ, may be glorified in us, and we in 
Him ; that our hearts may be entirely devoted 
to Thee ; that we may never grieve Thy Holy 
Spirit ; but that we may continue Thine for- 
ever ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Our Father, etc. 



102 PREPARATION FOR CONFIRMATION. 

Before you are called to the altar, say : 

I will go unto the altar of God, unto God 
my exceeding joy. For this God is my God 
forever and ever : He will be my guide even 
unto death. Amen and Amen. 
Believing in Thee, 
Hoping in Thee, 
Loving Thee : 

I come. Lord Jesus ; 

As a sick person to the Healer; 

As a hungry and thirsty person to the 
Fountain of life ; 

As a needy wretch to the King of heaven ; 

As a helpless child to a pitying Father ; 

As a weary, repenting sinner to my will- 
ing Saviour ; 

As a desolate soul to my own tender Com- 
forter ; 

I come: Lord Jesus, receive Thy child. 
Amen. 



DEVOTIONS AFTER CONFIRMATION. 

To he used after returning to your peio, {or, 
if time does not alloWy after you have re- 
turned home.) 

Vs. xxiii. 

Unto Thee lift I up mine eyes, O Thou 
that dwellest in the heavens. Our eyes wait 



CONFIRMATIOX. 103 

upon the Lord our God, until that He have 
mercy upon us. Have mercy upon us, 
Lord, have mercy upon us ! 

Give us Thy grace, heavenly Father, 
that henceforth we live not in sin, knoAving 
that this day we are more especially ac- 
counted Thy children. 

May we glorify Thee daily, Lord, by a 
godly life. 

Grant that Thy Holy Spirit may hence- 
forth rule and direct our hearts ; subdue in 
us all pride and covetousness, hatred and 
malice, envy and lust, and all uncleanness, 
and whatever shall offend Thee ! 

Fortify our souls, Lord, against all these 
temptations — the temptations of the world, 
the flesh, and the devil, for Jesus Christ's 
sake. 

Grant, Lord, that Satan may never find 
us off our guard, or from under Thy protec- 
tion ; but in all our trials give us grace to 
overcome, to Thy glory. 

Grant, God, that as we have been rege- 
nerated, and made Thy children by adoption 
and grace, we may daily be renewed by Thy 
Holy Spirit, for Jesus Christ's sake. 

Grant that the end of all our actions and 
designs may be the glory of Thy name. 

Enable us to resist all the sinful motions 



104 PREPARATION FOR CONFIRMATION. 

of the flesh, by the ever-present power of 
Thy Holy Spirit in us. 

Grant that we may hunger and thirst after 
righteousness. 

Grant, God, that we may never know- 
ingly live one moment under Thy displea- 
sure, or in any known sin. 

The Lord deliver us from every evil work, 
and preserve us to His heavenly kingdom : 
to whom be glory forever and ever. 

Let Thy love, God, which has this day 
been shed abroad in our hearts, by the 
power of the Holy Ghost, appear in our lives 
and actions, for Jesus Christ^s sake. 

Mercifully grant us, God, such a mea- 
sure of Thy grace, that, running in the way 
of Thy commandments, we may obtain Thy 
gracious promises, and be made partakers 
of Thy heavenly kingdom ; through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. 

God, our Defendeir, hear my prayer, and 
let Thy Holy Spirit uphold my goings in 
Thy paths, that my footsteps slip not. 

Then shall I go from strength to strength, 
until I appear before Thee in Zion. 

Be Thou, Lord Jesus, 

Within me, to strengthen me ; 
"Without me, to guard me ; 
Over me, to shelter me ; 



CONFIRMATION. 105 

Beneath me, to establish me ; 

Before me, to guide me ; 

After me, to forward me ; 

Round me, to secure me ; 
from this time forth, even for evermore. 
Amen. 



AN ACT OF SELF-DEDICATION. 

To he used at home after confirmation, 

Lord, my God, I have renounced the 
devil and all his v^orks, the world with its 
vain pomp and glory, and the flesh with all 
its sinful desires : I resolve henceforth to 
serve none but Thee, and to make it the 
chief concern of my life to keep Thy holy 
commandments. 

1 have renewed my baptismal vows, which 
alas ! I have so often violated ! I thank 
Thee, heavenly Father, that Thou hast 
admitted me into full communion with the 
Church, and hast given me grace with mine 
own mouth and heart to renew my vows be- 
fore Thee. By Thy help, Lord, will I 
keep them inviolate to my life's end. 

my God, I dedicate myself to Thee this 
day. I offer unto Thee my senses and pas- 
sions, and all my faculties ; I offer Thee all 



106 PREPARATION FOR CONFIRMATION. 

mj desires, all my designs, all my studies 
and endeavors; all that I have and am, I 
offer up entirely to Thy service. Lord sanc- 
tify me vrholly, that my whole spirit, soul, 
and body, may become Thy temple. do 
Thou dwell in me ; and be Thou my God, 
and I will be Thy servant. 

Though I am able of myself to do nothing 
that is good, through Thy strength I can do 
all things. perfect Thy strength in my 
weakness. Let Thy Holy Spirit purify my 
corrupt nature, succor me in all temptations, 
and assist me in all my religious duties. 
Hold Thou up my goings in Thy paths, that 
my footsteps slip not. Give me that victo- 
rious faith, which overcometh the world ; 
and let Thy preventing and restraining 
grace always preserve me. 

To Thy keeping I commit my soul and 
body : cover Thou me in the day of battle, 
against my spiritual enemies ; and so con- 
form my whole life to the example of my 
blessed Saviour, that at the dreadful day of 
judgment, I may find mercy, through His 
merits, who liveth and reigneth with Thee 
and the Holy Ghost, one God, blessed for 
ever. Amen. 



yi. 

ADVICE AND WAENING TO THE 
NEWLY CONFIRMED. 

The solemn act is done ! By the mercy 
of a kind heavenly Father you have been 
accepted and confirmed as one of His own 
dear children. You stand in full commu- 
nion with the Church. 

This is always an occasion of peculiar in- 
terest, of deep impressiveness, and of hum- 
ble joy, not only to the Church on earth, 
but, Ave may believe, even in Heaven. If 
^* there is joy in the presence of the angels'^ 
over one sinner that returns to God, is not 
heaven the more moved by the solemnity 
in which a band of youthful, willing souls, 
cast themselves upon their knees before the 
Altar, and utter in His presence the most 
solemn vow of eternal consecration ? 

It is an occasion of interest and joy to Pa- 
rents, who behold here their children assum- 
ing their baptismal vows — it is the fruit of 
their anxieties, prayers, and cares. 

It is an occasion of joy to Sabbath-School 

(107) 



108 PREPARATION FOR CONFIRMATION. 

teachers, to behold those who grew up into 
stature and into Christ, in their classes, at 
last prostrate at the feet of Jesus, to whom 
they had pointed them with many words of 
earnest exhortation, and with many warm 
prayers of faith. The seed, sown in tears, 
is now ripening into the glorious fruit of 

joy. 

It is an occasion of interest and joy to the 
Pastor, who has sought through a long and 
anxious course of instruction to point you to 
Jesus — to prepare you for full membership 
in the Church, for a worthy approach to the 
table of the Lord, and for an entrance into 
the blessedness of the righteous. 

It is an occasion of solemn interest to all 
members of the Church, who are here re- 
minded of their own Confirmation — in whose 
hearts its solemnity is again revived and re- 
produced. In reviewing their own lives 
since that event, they find much to move 
them to humble penitence, as well as to 
gratitude and praise, while they silently re- 
new their own vows with those who are 
kneeling at the Altar. 

Even such as are no professors of religion, 
and have no personal saving interest in the 
great salvation, must more or less feel the 
impressiveness of the scene — must feel the 



AD7ICE TO THE NEWLY CONFIRMED. 109 

silent reproof, and the keen chidings of con- 
science — must feel, when they see those 
before them so earnestly laying hold of the 
refuge, as though they heard a voice behind 
thew, crying: *' Flee ye also to the moun- 
tain ; tarry not in all the plain/' 

This is a period of special solemnity to 
you. To this time you have long looked 
forward — for it you have made solemn pre- 
paration. It has come at last — it is past — 
and behold! before God, and angels, and 
men — you have made and confirmed your 
vows. 

To this time you will long look hack. It 
will be the period in your life which you 
will be least likely to forget. If you should 
for a time loose it from your memory, future 
occasions like this will bring it fresh again 
to your mind. Your conscience will often 
remind you of it. If you go astray some 
sore afflictions will remind you of it. On 
the bed of sickness you will think of these 
vows. In a dying hour these scenes will 
crowd around you like angels of peace, or of 
woe — bringing to your hearts smiles of grati- 
tude, or tears of bitter repentance. Even 
after this life you will think of this solemn 
event in heaven ! — or in hell ! 

Believing that what is said to you in these 



110 PREPARATION FOR CONFIRMATION. 

solemn circumstances Trill the more deeply 
impress your minds, and be the longer re- 
membered, I desire to address to you a few 
words of advice and warning. "As my be- 
loved sons, I warn jouJ' 



DO NOT LOOSE OR ABATE YOUR INTEREST IN 
STUDYING THE DOCTRINES AND TEACHINGS 
OF OUR HOLY RELIGION. 

The things necessary to be known in reli- 
gion have been revealed io our minds, not in 
them. If we would know them T\e must 
study them, learn them. The prophets, the 
Saviour, the Apostles, were all teachers. It 
was their mission to teach all nations — to 
teach them the things of religion. It was 
the duty of the people to learn, to study, to 
know what was taught. The very meaning 
of the word " disciple ^^ is a learner. 

It is so still. If we would know the way 
of life, if we would understand our duties 
and privileges, we must study and learn 
them. Oh 1 how much is there for us to 
know, and consequently to learn by earnest 
attention and study ! 

You have for some time been a learner iff 
religion — a Catechumen. You have heard 



ADVICE TO THE NEWLY CONFIRMED. Ill 

much, and much of it you have treasured 
up in your memory. But how much is there 
still for you to learn ! What a mine of 
sacred wisdom still lies unfathomed before 
you ! What heights, and depths, and lengths, 
and breadths, are still unexplored ! You 
have but barely commenced. You have as 
yet learned but a few of the first principles 
of the doctrines of Christ. It is not merely 
that you may know these things that you 
ought to study them, but especially on ac- 
count of the influence which they exert 
upon your heart. You have found that 
your interest in religion has increased with 
your studying and learning. Your heart 
has been warmed by the truths to which 
you have paid attention. The truth, as you 
took it into your mind and heart, was as 
food to the soul. This is the true nature, 
these are the legitimate effects, of the truth 
— when we know it right we feel its power. 
Ignorance of the truth is of course indiffer- 
ence to it. 

You have no doubt sometimes thought — 
for this has been the experience of many 
Catechumens — that if the lectures would 
always continue, it would be easy for you to 
continue warm-hearted, and devoted, and 



112 PREPARATION FOR CONFIRMATION. 

faithful. It is your constant feeding upon 
the truth that keeps you strong. 

Now if, after you are confirmed, you lose 
your interest in improving in religious 
knowledge, you will certainly also grow cold 
in your zeal, and love, and devotion. On 
the other hand, if you keep up your diligence 
in learning more and more of religion, you 
will find your heart continuing its warmth 
and vigor. These two things go together. 
If we would grow in grace, we must grow 
in the knowledge of Christ. Religious know- 
ledge is just as necessary to a vigorous 
growth in piety, as food is to the growth of 
the body, or as water is to the roots of a 
tree. Ignorance is not the mother of devo- 
tion, but the mother of darkness, stupidity, 
superstition, and all kinds of error and 
degradation. 

We warn you, therefore, against the neg- 
lect of your religious studies. You have 
abundant opportunity to go on in the future, 
as you have in the past. Future classes of 
Catechumens are open to you, even though 
you are confirmed. Adult classes in the 
Sabbath-school, with pious and able teachers, 
may be open to you. The instructions of 
the pulpit and the weekly lectures are open 
to you. The Bible, and all kinds of instruc- 



ADVICE TO THE NEWLY CONFIRMED. 113 

tive religious books, together with the reli- 
gious papers of the Church, are open to you. 
The conversations of intelligent Christian 
friends may be enjoyed by you. You have 
every opportunity that heart can desire, to 
become a well-informed, enlightened, intel- 
ligent Christian. It will be your own fault 
if you do not. 

There is a great defect at the present day 
in just this point. Religious instruction is 
not sufficiently thorough. Christians do not 
care to be indoctrinated as they should. 
There is too little earnest study of God'^s 
word, and the doctrines of the Church. If 
these things were more faithfully attended 
to, there would not be so much backsliding, 
wavering, weakness of faith, and indifference. 

You may hear it said that religion does 
not consist in knowing and learning ; and 
this is only what has been told you over and 
over — it includes, also, the power of what 
we know upon the heart. But beware of the 
insinuating error that knowing does not be- 
long to religion. If mind belongs to man, 
then does also knowing and learning belong 
to religion. Seek to have warm hearts, but 
also clear heads. Let the mind know and 
the heart feel. These two God hath joined 
together ; let no man put them asunder. 



114 PREPARATION FOR CONFIRMATION. 

Against losing your interest in the study 
of Christian doctrines and duties, we most 
earnestly and solemnly warn you ! *' As 
new-born babes, desire the sincere milk of 
the word, that ye may grow thereby/^ '' Let 
the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all 
wisdom/' 

II. 

BE REGULAR IN YOUR ATTENDANCE UPON THE 
CHURCH, AND ALL ITS ORDINANCES AND MEANS 
OF GRACE. 

Here is the rock on which thousands have 
split. The first step in backsliding is a neg- 
lect of the ordinances of grace. 

Peter never would have denied his Saviour, 
if he had not first begun to ^'foUoAV him 
afar off.^^ If, like John, he had kept near 
Him, and not stood out among the rabble at 
a distance, he would not have prepared the 
way for future bitterness and tears. 

If Judas had continued with the Saviour 
and the disciples in the Passover solemnity 
in the upper room, and in the holy supper 
which followed, he would not have appeared 
among His enemies to betray Him. 

If Thomas had been with the disciples in 
the upper room, when Jesus came in and 



ADYICE TO THE NEWLY CONFIRMED. 115 

said, " Receive ye the Holy Ghost/^ he would 
not afterwards have been so unbelieving as 
to say: "Except I shall see in his hands the 
print of the nails, and put my finger in the 
print of the nails, and thrust my hand into 
his side, I will not believe." 

So, if professing Christians were always 
present when God blesses His people through 
His various ordinances, they would not be 
60 easily led astray by temptation, or over- 
come by their own remaining infirmities and 
the power of the world. He that does not 
eat is not strong ; he that misses the bless- 
ing, is also without the grace. 
. You will always find that those who are 
most regular in their attendance upon the 
ordinances, are the most firm, consistent, 
and least likely to backslide. Those who 
most disgrace their profession, are those who 
most neglect the means of grace. 

It is easy to see why this is so. AVhatever 
any one may undertake to do he will always 
succeed best when he rightly uses the means. 
If one, who is weak in body, would walk, he 
must use a stafi"; by this means he can sus- 
tain himself in walking. If one who is weak 
in spirit would hold on his way, he must use 
the means of grace — the very means insti- 



116 PREPARATION FOR CONFIRMATION. 

tuted and adapted to give him strength and 
aid. 

Prayer brings him aid. The word, as read, 
as heard from the pulpit or in the weekly 
Lecture, gives him light, reproof, encourage- 
ment, and comfort. The Holy Supper unites 
him more closely to Christ, brings him into 
communion Avith His power, and grace, and 
life ; and feeds, nourishes, refreshes, and re- 
news his drooping spirit. We beseech you, 
use these means. how can any one expect 
to walk steadily on in the way to heaven 
without the help of these means of grace? 
Against the neglect of them, we most earn- 
estly warn you ! 

III. 

LOOK WELL TO THE CHARACTER AND HABITS 
OF YOUR ASSOCIATES, AND AVOID ALL SUCH 
AS WOULD ENDANGER YOUR PIETY. 

A holy Apostle has said: "Evil commu- 
nications corrupt good manners.''^ Experi- 
ence and observation prove that the most of 
young persons who make shipwreck of their 
piety, their good name, and their character, 
are led astray and are ruined by bad asso- 
ciates. Little do we dream of the power 
which a companion has over us for good, or 



ADVICE TO THE NEWLY CONFIRMED. 117 

for evil. Our confidence in a companion, 
our fondness for him, places us in his 
power. 

Young Christians, in the buoyancy of 
their spirits, in the joy of their youthful 
life, in the vigor of their social feelings, 
are easily drawn into the circle of the giddy 
and the vain ; and what seems to them at 
first but a source of innocent enjoyment, 
soon becomes a snare to their hearts. They 
become less and less serious, the holy re- 
straints of the Church lose their power more 
and more, until they first grow careless, then 
wander, then despise, and at last perish ! 

The only path of safety lies in your select- 
ing your companions from among such as 
are known to be pious. In such a circle 
there is not only the most safety, but also 
the purest happiness, and the highest honor. 

Moreover, there can be no true enjoyment 
for one that is pious, in company with the 
careless and ungodly. They differ in the 
deepest spirit, and in the most important 
circumstances of their life ; how then can 
they be associates? Their sympathies, their 
tastes, their desires, their thoughts, and 
feelings, are all different. How then can 
they be companions? ''What fellowship 
hath light with darkness.'' You cannot 



118 PREPARATION FOR CONFIRMATION. 

therefore comfortably associate -vyith such, 
unless you depart from your own Christian 
position. But woe unto that professing 
Christian, who will give up Christ for the 
fellowship of a sinful companion ! Those 
that choose such company here, will also be 
sentenced to continue in the same company 
when the Judge shall say to those on his 
left hand, " I never knew you: depart from 
me, ye workers of iniquity.'^ 

Against such associates, and such an end, 
we most solemnly warn you ! 

IV. 

STRIVE TO BIAKE YOURSELVES USEFUL TO THE 
CHURCH, AND TO THE WORLD. 

This itself will do much to aid you in 
carrying out the last advice. If you labor 
with Christians in the Church, and in every 
good work, this itself will throw you among 
the right kind of associates. Those that 
constantly labor with Christ, are also in 
each others' company, to support each other 
by mutual example and encouragement. In 
every Church, those young Christians who 
truly labor for its interests, are by that very 
circumstance formed into a circle of friend- 
ship, and affection for each other, in the 



ADYICE TO THE NEWLY CONFIRMED. 119 

midst of which it is not easy to grow cold or 
indifferent. 

In every Church there is abundant room 
to stand in such a circle of useful labors for 
the Church. There is the Sabbath-School — 
there are meetings for social improvement — 
there are meetings for instruction and prayer 
— there are meetings for cultivating the voice 
and the heart in singing the high praises of 
God. In some one or more of these circles 
every young Christian can find a place in 
which to be useful, and where he may culti- 
vate his social nature without danger from 
improper associates, and with great benefit 
to himself. 

How much safer, purer, and more elevat- 
ing are such social circles, and such com- 
panionships, than such as are formed outside 
of the Church ; and which have for their 
end, not usefulness, but mere pleasure, and 
that very often of the lowest and most eva- 
nescent kind ! 

Moreover, there is nothing better calcu- 
lated to keep us firm in the way of piety 
than to be engaged in laboring for the 
Church, and for souls. It is by watering 
others that we are watered. As the body of 
him who exercises freely is healthiest, so is 



120 PREPARATION FOR CONFIRMATION. 

it also with the soul. The active Christian 
grows most in grace. 

Does not observation convince us of this ? 
Do not the idlers, the loiterers in Zion, mostly 
backslide entirely? Are not, on the other 
hand, the most active also the most perse- 
vering ? 

0, we are kept from a thousand tempta- 
tions and snares, by keeping ourselves in the 
circle of those who labor in the Church, in 
the Sabbath-School, and in all the various 
enterprises of doing good. Be you not an 
idler in the ranks of Jesus. Against this 
we earnestly warn you ! 



MEDITATE OFTEN OF SOLEMN SUBJECTS. 

A Christian must be sober, solemn, earn- 
est. He must not treat as a light matter his 
responsibilities, his duties, his vows, his re- 
lations to man and God, and his solemn ac- 
count at the last great day. 

You need not be morose, gloomy, cheer- 
less. You may "rejoice always,'^ but let 
it always be "in the Lord.^' But be ear- 
nest still. Life is not a play ; sin is not a 
trifle; death is not a sport; judgment and 
eternity, heaven and hell, are not a dream ! 



ADVICE TO THE NEWLY CONFIRMED. 121 

Our own lost condition by nature, our own 
lying under the power of sin and death, is a 
reality that ought to arouse us, and cause us 
to tremble and pray. We are candidates 
for eternity ; we are hastening towards its 
awful realities ; and shall we amuse our- 
selves and sport with vanities upon this 
dreadful brink. 

Eternity! stupendous theme! 

Compared herewith our life's a dream; 

Eternity ! awful sound, 

A deep, where all our thoughts are drowned! 

The thought of what Jesus has done for 
us, ought to make us earnest. Redemption 
was not a trifle ! The humiliation, the sacri- 
fice, and the sufferings of our Immanuel, 
were such as to astonish heaven, earth, and 
hell. There, in our nature, hangs the aton- 
ing God I 

The skies He formed, and now He bleeds for me! 
There hangs all human hope ; that nail supports 
The falling universe: that gone, we drop! 
what a groan was there ! a groan not His ; 
He heaved the mountain from a guilty world ! 

Think often of that price, *' all price be- 
yond ;^' and neglect not that soul which is the 
purchase of such agonies and blood. 

Think often of your vows. They are 
heard on earth. They are recorded in heaven. 



122 PREPARATION FOR CONFIRMATION. 

They will meet you in a dying hour ! They 
will meet you before the "great white 
throne r^ Fulfil your vows, by a life of 
piety. Often refresh and animate your 
heart, with the solemn remembrance of 
them, at the table of the Lord. And may 

High heaven, that heard your solema vow, 
That TOW renewed still daily hear, 
Till in life's latest hour you how, 
And bless in death a bond so dear. 



PAET 11. 



PREPARATION FOR THE LORD'S SUPPER. 



(123) 



unity ! vonc/ 0/ cna^U'u ! /Tnodo 
•woccid live, natn ^i/ne^e lo Ave, nai-A ^i^nczec/ 
to tcve. .t^et ni^n co'}7ief let nim -uUceve : 
let ni^Tt i^e i7icath(>tai€a, mat nc yjiay- v^e 
auic^ened. 

St ^ufiustfne. 



(124) 



PREPAEATION 

FOR 

THE LORD'S SUPPER, 



I. 

FIRST MEDITATION. 

IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME. 

In remembrance of Thee ! My best 
Friend ; my elder Brother ; my faithful and 
sympathizing High -priest; my Advocate 
with the Father ; my Saviour from sin and 
eternal death ; my refuge and hiding-place 
in trouble ; the rest of my spirit in weari- 
ness, my covert in every storm of temptation, 
my joy in life and my hope in death. If I 
forget Thee, Lord Jesus, let my right hand 
forget her cunning. If I do not remember 
Thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my 
mouth. Let every joy forsake this ungrate- 
ful heart of mine, if I do not remember Thee 
above my chief joy. 

Eemember Thee, Thou Holy Christ, after 

(125) 



126 PREPARATION FOR THE LORD^S SUPPER. 

whom I was named Christian in my Bap- 
tism, and called to be holy. Yes, Thy name 
was then given to me, that at every mention 
of my own baptismal name I might remem- 
ber Thee. In my Confirmation I renewed 
that vow, and declared before men and 
angels, and before Thee, that I would be 
known by Thy name, and be Thine forever. 

I am now invited to Thy holy Supper, 
which Thou didst institute in that night 
when Thou wast betrayed. I hear Thy 
voice: ^'Do this in remembrance of me! 
It calls me away from the present into the 
solemn past. My thoughts travel back over 
eighteen centuries. I see Thee, with Thy 
disciples, in the lonely upper room in Jeru- 
salem. My faith enters into that solemn 
company. I see their earnest looks of en- 
quiring love, all turned to Thee. I see the 
melting tenderness of Thy countenance; I 
watch those eyes of Thine, beaming un- 
fathomable love ; I hear those words of con- 
solation, such as men never spake. It is a 
parting scene ! Those are farewell words ! 
Those elements in Thy hands are memorials 
which Thou art leaving behind for Thine 
own, till Thou shalt appear and come again. 

Thy sufferings, the dark hour of Thy bit- 
ter Passion is near, Lamb of God, slain 



MEDITATIONS. 127 

for the sins of the world. That bread in 
Thine hands speaks of Thy body broken ; 
that wine shows forth Thy blood shed ! It 
points back to Thy bloody sweat in Gethse- 
mene. It points forward to the blood of the 
scourge, the blood of the thorns, the nails 
and the spear, in Thy sacred head, and 
hands, and feet, and side. In beholding 
these symbols before me on the altar, I will 
remember Thine agony and bloody sweat. 
Thy cross and Passion, Thy sacred wounds 
and precious blood ! 

I need this scene of suffering and sorrow 
to be brought in this lively way before me. 
How prone am I, in the noise and busy stir 
of the present, to forget the Past! Amid 
my daily doing I am prone to forget what 
Thou hast done. In my many blessings I 
forget how the curse rested on Thee. In 
my many joys, I forget Thy sorrows. Amid 
my friends, how prone to forget Thee, the 
best friend. Sitting refreshed in the shadow, 
I forget the Tree of Life that shades me. 
Warmed by Thy love, I forget the Sun of 
Eighteousness that sheds on me his genial 
beams. Drinking at the stream, I forget 
the fountain whence all refreshing waters 
flow. my ungrateful forgetfulness of 
Thee! 



128 PREPARATIOX FOR THE LORD^S SUPPER. 

But I hear Thy words again Trith peni- 
tent heart. I would remember Thee. Let 
not mine eyes be holden. Bring near to my 
faith the scenes of that upper room. Banish 
the distance in space and in time which sepa- 
rates me from the place and the hour of 
Thy sufferings. Let all be fresh before me 
as it was to Thy disciples. Let it be around 
me as an atmosphere in which Thy dying 
words and groans are heard, and in which I 
may feel the pressure of those bitter sorrows 
which Thou didst endure for me. 

I need it for my faith, that Thy Passion 
may be real to me. I need it for my hope, 
that I may be assured that what Thou didst 
suffer has secured my everlasting joy. I need 
it for my love, that I may love Thee in life 
who didst love me even unto death. I need it 
for my penitence, that in Thy dreadful suf- 
ferings I may see the deep guilt of my soul. 
I need it for my tenderness, that my heart 
may be softened by those touching scenes 
of Thy love. I need it for my gratitude, 
that I may see and feel with what a price 
Thou hast bought my blessings. 

How it softens the heart to call to mind 
even earthly friends who are absent or dead ! 
Their image is called up before us, not only 
in those hours peculiarly fitted by their 



MEDITATIONS. 129 

loneliness to be devoted to absent beloved 
ones ; but even often in the midst of toils 
and cares their forms and faces, with all the 
kindness received at their hands, come over 
the path of our thoughts. They look in 
upon us as with angel glances, leaving the 
warm memory of their love with us when 
their image is withdrawn. We are called 
out of the present hardening air of the secu- 
lar world into one which memory creates 
and fills with all that has impressed and 
blessed us in the Past. How touching are 
even these remembrances ! But what are 
all these compared with the remembrances 
of Thee, Thou fairest among ten thou- 
sand, and altogether lovely ! Thy name is 
as ointment poured forth. Thy presence 
sheds a fragrance around all life's joys and 
sorrows. My heart melts with tender peni- 
tence and love when in the memory of Thy 
mercy I call Thee near. The cup of my joy 
runneth over when Thou dost command 
Thy loving kindness to me in the day time, 
and when in the night Thy song is with 
me, and my prayer rises to Thee, the God 
of my life. 

In remembrance of Me ! Yes, my Sa- 
viour, I will remember Thee. During these 
solemn days of preparation, I will say to 
9 



130 PREPARATION FOR THE LORD's SUPPER. 

the world, Stand thou there, while I shall 
enter with Thee into the deep shades of 
Gethsemene, go with Thee through the 
shameful scenes of Thy mock-trial, travel 
with Thee to the Cross, and behold Thee in 
Thy last agon}^, and shameful death. My 
believing heart shall echo Thy groans, and 
mingle in Thy sorrows. During these days 
I will read over the record of Thy Passion, 
and follow Thee as if I were a silent sympa- 
thizer in the crowd that bore Thee away, 
I will seek retirement that I may be Avith 
Thee. 

Rejoice, my soul, and give thanks unto 
God, for so glorious a gift, and so precious a 
consolation, left unto Thee in this vale of 
tears ! 



SECOND MEDITATION. 

FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS. 

For the remission of sins ! With humble 
joy, I hear these words. Lord Jesus. My 
faith sees the cup in Thy holy hands, and 
the purple wine shows me Thy blood shed 
for me. Without the shedding of blood 
there is no remission ; but Thou didst shed 



MEDITATIONS. 131 

Thy blood for me, and it clean seth from all 
sin. 

That cup reminds me of the cup Thou 
didst drink in Gethsemene, \Yhere under the 
burden of my sins, being in agony and ear- 
nest pra3^er, Thy sweat was, as it were, 
great drops of blood falling down to the 
ground ! It leads me to Thy Cross, where I 
see come forth from the wounds of the sol- 
dier's spear, blood and water ! With such a 
price was my pardon bought ; how can I 
doubt that it will be freely bestowed, when, 
with a believing heart, I receive the cup 
offered to me for the remission of sin. 

Blessed be Thy name. Lord Jesus, for this 
cup of salvation. I behold it in Thy hands 
with joy ; I will receive it with a believing 
heart. My soul doth assure and comfort 
itself with those blessed words : Come, now, 
and let us reason together, saith the Lord : 
though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be 
white as snow; though they be red like 
crimson, they shall be as wool ! 

For the remission of sins ! This cup is 
the New Testament in Thy blood. It is not 
the blood of beasts slain on Jewish altars, 
in which there was only a remembrance of 
sin made again every year, but no poAver to 
take sin away. That was 'only the shadow 



132 PREPARATION^ FOR THE LORD's SUPPER. 

of good things to come ; and those good 
things have come in Thee, Lord Jesus! 
In this New Testament my faith sees the 
glorious reality which was then foresha- 
dowed. Here is a better sacrifice. Here is 
richer blood. My faith rests not on some- 
thing merely promised to be done, but on 
that which has been done. I see the true 
Lamb of God. I see Jesus the surety of 
a better testament. I see the true blood 
of Christ, who, through the Eternal Spirit, 
offered Himself without spot to God, which 
doth purge my conscience from dead works 
to serve the living God. In this covenant 
Thou dost say : I will be merciful to your 
unrighteousness, and your sins and iniqui- 
ties I will remember no more. 

Shed for many ! Blessed words. Patri- 
archs and prophets, apostles and martyrs, 
confessors and saints, the general assembly 
and church of the first-born, the spirits of 
just men made perfect, yea, all the glorious 
company of the redeemed that have reached 
their rest in glory, have all been redeemed 
by His blood ; and the millions that are still 
on their way, are washing their robes, and 
making them white in the blood of the 
Lamb. If shed for so many, then for me. 
If that blood availed for so many, then also 



MEDITATIONS. 133 

for me. If He has been willing to apply it 
to so many, He will apply it to me. He 
was found of all these when they sought 
Him not ; and me He has inclined to seek 
Him, much more now seeking Ilim He ayIII 
be found of me. 

I believe in the remission of sins. In my 
baptism it was promised, signed, and sealed 
to me. Though I am still a sinner, yet that 
remission is renewed to me in this covenant 
of His blood. He came not by water only, 
but by water and blood. In receiving the 
cup of His blood, I embrace with a believing 
heart all the sufferings and death of Christ, 
and thereby obtain pardon of sin and life 
eternal. Thou who didst wash me with 
water, wilt also wash me with blood. And 
as I was baptized for the remission of sins, 
so I now confess anew my faith in Thy for- 
giving mercy, by drinking Thy blood shed 
for the remission of sins. 

I believe that God, for the sake of Christ^s 
satisfaction, will no more remember my sins, 
neither my corrupt nature, against which I 
have to struggle all my life long ; but gra- 
ciously bestows on me the righteousness of 
Christ, that I may never be condemned be- 
fore the tribunal of God. 

In this faith and comfortable assurance 



134 PREPARATION FOR THE LORD's SUPPER. 

Thou wilt confirm and establish my heart, 
Lord Jesus, through that cup which Thou 
dost give to me in mercy, and which I receive 
in faith, for the remission of sins. Thou 
wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God, by 
Thy blood : I will go to Thine altar, and 
take the cup of salvation with exceeding joy. 
Thou hast made peace through the blood of 
the cross. I will enter into the holiest by the 
blood of Jesus. 

Now is come salvation and strength, and 
the kingdom of our God, and the power 
of His Christ : my accusers, the world, the 
flesh, and the devil, which have accused 
me before God day and night, are cast 
down ; and I have overcome them by the 
blood of the Lamb, and by the word of the 
testimony of Jesus. Therefore rejoice, ye 
heavens, and ye that dwell in them ; and let 
the voice of salvation be heard in the taber- 
nacles of the righteous ; for I shall not die, 
but live, and declare the works of the Lord. 
give thanks unto the Lord ; for He is 
good : for His mercy endureth forever ! 



MEDITATIONS. 135 

THIRD MEDITATION. 

THE SACRAMENT OF UNION WITH CHRIST. 

Union with Thee, Lord Jesus, who art the 
true life of the soul I This I desire more 
than life itself; therefore with joy I hear 
Thy words: He that eateth my flesh, and 
drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in 
him. 

By nature I am dead in trespasses and in 
sin, and alienated from the life of God ; and 
except I eat the flesh of the Son of man, and 
drink His blood, I have no life in me. But 
blessed words I hear from Thee, Christ, 
my life : I am the living bread which 
came down from heaven : if any man eat of 
this bread, he shall live forever; and the 
bread that I will give is my flesh, which I 
will give for the life of the world. Whoso 
eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath 
eternal life, and I will raise him up at the 
last day. 

This is the record, that God hath given to 
us eternal life ; and this life is in His Son. 
He that hath the Son, hath life; and he that 
hath not the Son of God, hath not life. I 



136 PREPARATION FOR THE LORD^S SUPPER. 

must be united with Thee, Thou source of 
life eternal. It is Thy will that I should be 
so united to Thee ; for this Thou didst die, 
for this Thou dost live, and for this Thou 
dost pray. Pray Thou still, my Inter- 
cessor and Advocate with the Father ! I will 
be silent, but pray Thou for me : All mine 
are thine, and thine are mine ; and I am 
glorified in them ; I in them, and Thou in me. 

Thou art the true vine, and we are the 
branches. Thou art the Head of Thy body, 
the Church ; and we are the members. Thou 
art the living temple, and we are the living 
stones, built up a spiritual house, an holy 
priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, 
acceptable to God. Thou art formed in us 
the hope of glory. I am crucified with 
Christ ; nevertheless, I live ; yet not I, but 
Christ liveth in me ; and the life which I 
now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of 
the Son of God, who loved me, and gave 
Himself for me. 

Dwell Thou, Christ, in my heart by 
faith ; that being rooted and grounded in 
love to Thee, I may be able to comprehend 
with all saints what is the breadth, and 
length, and depth, and height ; and to know 
Thy love, which passeth knowledge, and be 
filled with all the fulness of God. 



MEDITATIONS. 137 

Thanks be to God for Ilis unspeakable 
gift ! We have an unction from the Holy 
One ; and this is the promise that He hath 
promised us, even eternal life. Hereby 
know we that we dwell in Him, and He in 
us, because He hath given us of His Spirit. 
But Thy Spirit, Lord Jesus, shall not speak 
of Himself; He shall glorify Thee; for He 
shall receive of Thine and show it unto us. 
What richer blessing, my soul, does the 
Spirit receive of Christ for Thee, than this 
bread which cometh down from heaven, that 
a man may eat thereof, and not die ! 

Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the 
Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in 
God. This I confess with a believing heart. 
I believe, and am sure, that Thou art that 
Christ, the Son of the living God. This I 
will confess at the altar, in receiving Thy 
body and blood ; and thus receiving, I, with 
all saints, will become more and more united 
to Thy sacred body by the Holy Ghost, who 
dwells both in Christ and in us ; so that we, 
although Christ is in heaven and we on 
earth, are notwithstanding flesh of His flesh, 
and bone of His bone : so that we live, and 
are governed forever by one Spirit, a^ mem- 
bers of the same body are by one soul. 



138 PREPARATION FOR THE LORD^S SUPPER. 

FOURTH MEDITATION. 

COMMUNION WITH CHRIST. 

Communion with Thee ! Surely this must 
be my happy privilege when Thou dwellest 
in me, and I in Thee. The branch is in 
communion with the vine ; the members are 
in communion with the Head. In Thy death 
we died ; in Thy life we live. What blessed 
words are those I hear: Behold, I stand at 
the door, and knock: if any man hear my 
voice, and open the door, I will come in to 
him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 

Thy Holy Supper is the feast of commu- 
nion. The cup of blessing, is it not the 
communion of the blood of Christ ? The 
bread which we break, is it not the commu- 
nion of the body of Christ? I am as really 
partaker of Thy true body and blood, by the 
operation of the Holy Ghost, as I receive by 
the mouth of my bod}^, these holy signs in 
remembrance of Thee. 

The cup of blessing — the cup which has 
a blessing to bestow. How great is that 
blessing ! It brings me into communion 
with the blood of Christ — with the pardon 



MEDITATIONS. 139 

and life purchased with that blood. The 
bread brings m-e into communion with the 
glorified body, the true sanctified humanity 
of Christ. This is Thy blessing, which 
Thou, Christ, dost bestow through the 
cup and the bread. 

The cup is the communion — the bread is 
the communion. As natural bread and 
drink unites itself with my body and my 
being, so as to become part of myself, and 
makes myself one with it, so much more 
does this bread, which is the body, and this 
wine, which is the blood of Christ, make me 
one with His sacred and holy life, and bring 
my life into communion with His. What 
words are those I read in regard even to the 
sacrifices in the Old Testament, which were 
merely typical : " The life of the flesh is in 
the blood ; and I have given it to you upon 
the altar, to make an atonement for your 
souls: for it is the blood that makcth an 
atonement for the soul.'^ How much more 
shall Thy life, Lord Jesus, flow into mine, 
through Thine own better blood, so that my 
poor life shall be enriched, my weak life 
strengthened, my sinful life sanctified by this 
blessed communion in Thy rich, strong, and 
holy life. 

This is the highest, deepest, most blessed 



140 PREPARATION FOR THE LORD's SUPPER. 

communion which we can have with Thee, 
Thou Eternal life, on this side of Heaven. 
Here we enjoy spiritual blessings in heavenly 
places in Christ. We commune with Thee 
in other ways ; but this is tlie communion. 
In meditation we think of Thee ; in prayer 
we speak to Thee; in singing we celebrate 
thy praise ; and in reading and hearing Thy 
vford we listen to Thee. But in this blessed 
communion we have all these in one ; be- 
cause by it Thou livest in us and we in 
Thee. 

In this blessed communion rests, and 
grows our love to Thee. In it is Thy love 
manifested to us. Thy dying love instituted 
it, that by it Thy love might live on in the 
hearts of Thy faithful children. Thy love 
to us invites us to it, and our love to Thee 
constrains us to long for it as the hart longs 
after the water brooks in a dry and thirsty 
land. 

We feast with Thee on hidden manna. 
Thou showest us the secrets of Thy heart's 
love. Unto us it is given to know the mys- 
tery of the Kingdom of God. In it Thou 
dost reveal Thyself to us, as Thou dost not 
to the world. Thou dost open our eyes that 
we may know Thee in the breaking of bread. 

Jesus, Thou hidden life of the soul, take 



MEDITATIONS. 141 

me into Thy banqueting house, and let Thy 
banner over me be love. Show me Thy 
covenant ; let me see light in Thy light, and 
love in Thy love. Shut out the world, shut 
out my sins, and take me into the covert of 
Thy presence, which is life ; surround me 
with Thy loving-kindness, which is better 
than life. 



FIFTH MEDITATION. 

COMMUNION WITH ONE ANOTHER. 

Shed for many ! Not for me alone. As 
Thou dost love me. Lord Jesus, so Thou dost 
love all Thy saints ; and with me Thou 
dost invite others to Thy table. It is Thy 
will that we should all be one with each 
other as we are one with Thee. 

This is the communion of Thy whole body, 
the Church. As the members are in commu- 
nion with the head through the body, so I 
must be in communion with Thee by and 
with all the members that are in Thy body. 
For we being many are one bread, and one 
body: for we are all partakers of that one 
bread. Thou hast raised us up together, 



rjf^r^-v^-^ •• ----- 



142 PREPARATION FOR THE LORD^S SUPPER. 

and made us sit together in heavenly places, 
in Christ Jesus. 

Thou, Lord Jesus, art our common life. 
We are children of one Father, we eat at 
one table, we form one family. This is the 
message and commandment that we heard 
from the beginning, that we should love one 
another as Thou hast loved us. 

I hear also the words of Thy beloved dis- 
ciple, who leaned on Thy bosom at the first 
supper : Behold, let us love one another : for 
love is of God ; and every one that loveth is 
born of God, and knoweth God. He that 
loveth not, knoweth not God ; for God is 
love. He that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in 
God, and God in him. He that loveth not 
his brother, whom he hath seen ; how can he 
love God, whom he hath not seen. 

As I am by nature without love to Thee, 
so I am by nature without love to my neigh- 
bor. Lord Jesus, I would dwell in Thy love, 
that I may dwell in love with my brethren. 
When Thou, Sun of Righteousness, dost 
shine on me, then shall my heart bloom in 
love, and emit its fragrance toward all around 
m^e. 

Therefore I rejoice, loving Lord, that 
Thou dost not send me away from Thee, that 
I may learn to love elsewhere ; but dost call 



MEDITATIONS. 143 

me to Thee, that I may learn it of Thee. I 
sorrow over my hateful and hating heart. 
give me the grace of love ! Let me learn 
it from Thy love to me and to all. Let me 
behold it in Thy cross, in Thy death ; and 
let it come over me and into me in the com- 
munion of Thy body and blood. Where 
love is absent there can be no feast. As 
Thy feast, blessed Lord, shows forth love, 
so it begets love. So near Thee, we must be 
near one another. With the emblems of Thy 
dying love before us, we must love those 
around us. How can I hate those for whom 
Christ died ! 

Have any offended against me, much more 
have I offended against Thee. Should not I 
forgive, who have been so freely forgiven. 
my soul, wilt thou hate one for whom Jesus 
died ? Is my enemy weak ? I will pity him. 
Has he an evil heart ? I will lead him with 
me to the cross ; and together we will hear 
the words of dying Love: Father forgive 
them ; they know not what they do. 

Lord Jesus, was ever insult and injury 
like that ! They mocked Thee, crowned Thee 
with thorns, spit upon Thee, struck Thee, 
scourged Thee, put nails through Thy hands 
and feet, a spear into Thy side, gall to Thy 
lips, and shamefully crucified Thee ! and yet 



144 PREPARATION FOR THE LORD^S SUPPER. 

Thou didst praj to the Father for their par- 
don. The Sun hid his face and could not 
look upon them, darkness sought to cover 
the shameful deed, the earth trembled under 
the awful insult, yet Thy face beamed with 
love, and Thy heart of mercy was not averted 
from them ! 

blessed lesson of love! When shall I 
learn it ? — where shall I learn it ? I will 
learn it at Thine altar. I will learn it from 
Thy broken body, and from Thy shed blood. 
Thou, who hast taught us in word and in 
deed to love one another, wilt not withhold 
from us the power of fulfilling Thy will. 
Speak to us those words of power: Peace 
I leave with you, my peace I give unto 
you! 

Thou, Prince of Peace and Love, who 
didst reveal the power of love by coming into 
the world to teach all men love, by dying for 
Thine enemies ; and who hast instituted this 
blessed feast of love ; make, we beseech Thee, 
these communion days the great days of 
Atonement to us, when all past disagree- 
ments shall be buried, all offences forgiven, 
all hearts baptized into one spirit of love by 
the holy drops of one blood, and purified by 
one ofi'ering: even the ofiering of Thyself, 



MEDITATIONS. 145 

Lord Jesus Christ, who, with the Father, in 
unity of the Spirit, livest and reignest ever 
one God, world without end. Amen. 



SIXTH MEDITATION. 

THE SACRAMENT OF NOURISHMENT AND 
REFRESHMENT. 

To Thy table, Lord Jesus, we come to 
eat and drink that we may be nourished and 
refreshed. In holy Baptism Thou dost take 
away what we have by nature that is evil ; 
but in Thy Holy Supper Thou dost give us 
what we have not that is good. 

Blessed words : I am the bread of life ; 
he that cometh to me, shall never hunger ; 
and he that believeth on me shall never 
thirst. He that eateth me, even he shall 
live by me ; for my flesh is meat indeed, and 
my blood is drink indeed. This is the 
highest and best eating. The life which it 
nourishes is the highest and best life. Those 
who ate manna, died ; and those who eat 
only natural food, also perish. Only the 
hidden manna, only the spiritual food, giveth 
the true, everlasting life. Lord, evermore 
give me this bread. 
10 



146 PREPARATION FOR THE LORD^S SUPPER. 

Natural bread nourishes tlie body, natural 
drink refreshes the body, and after that it 
has no more that it can do. But as natural 
bread and wine support this temporal life, 
so Thy crucified body and shed blood are the 
true meat and drink whereby our souls are 
fed to eternal life. The food which Thou 
givest nourishes faith, hope, love, and all 
the graces of the Spirit. 

This is a mystery, Lord Jesus, but faith 
lays hold of it and receives it. I know not 
how natural food and drink affects even the 
soul by replenishing the body, giving energy 
to the whole man. So I know not how the 
bread and the cup of blessing which Thou 
hast blessed, can nourish and refresh body 
and spirit ; but as Thou hast declared, so I 
believe. Amen, my faithful Lord Jesus, be 
it unto me even as Thou hast said. 

In this most comfortable Sacrament of Thy 
body and blood, I will come to the hidden 
fountain of grace and life. Here the word 
shall be fulfilled: Man did eat angeFs 
food. My poor sense shall not measure the 
virtue of the bread which cometh down from 
heaven. My faith alone can receive it. The 
life which is to be nourished is hid with 
Christ in God. Enter into this holy of 
holies, my soul, where, beneath the cover- 



MEDITATIONS. 147 

ing of what is visible to mortal eyes, and 
unhindered by things of sense, spirit with 
spirit, life with life, shall commune. There 
the quickening Spirit, whom the world can- 
not receive, but who dwelletli in me, shall 
take of the things of Christ and show them 
to me. 

Lo, I am with you always, even unto the 
end of the world ! Thou art present at Thine 
own feast ; and I hear Thy words : Eat, 
friends ; drink, yea, drink abundantly, 
beloved, I believe that Thou dost feed and 
nourish my soul to everlasting life, with Thy 
crucified body and shed blood, as assuredly 
as I receive from the hands of the minister, 
and taste with my mouth Thy bread and 
Thy cup, as certain signs of Thy body and 
blood. 



SEVENTH MEDITATION. 

THE SACRAMENT OF PUBLIC PROFESSION AND 
CONFESSION. 

My praise shall be of Thee in the great 
congregation: I will pay my vows before 
them that fear Thee. I will take the cup of 
salvation, and call upon the Lord. I will 



148 PREPARATION FOR THE LORD^S SUPPER. 

pay my vows unto the Lord now in the pre- 
sence of all His people. 

I hear Thy words, Lord Jesus : As often 
as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye 
do show the Lord's death till He come. 

I must not only be Thy disciple secretly, 
but publicly ; not only in the closet, but also 
in the congregation of Thy people. Thou 
hast said : Whosoever shall confess me 
before men, him shall the Son of man con- 
fess before the angels of God. But he that 
denieth me before men, shall be denied be- 
fore the angels of God. 

Every knee shall bow, and every tongue 
shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to 
the glory of God the Father. With the 
heart, man believeth unto righteousness ; 
and with the mouth, confession is made unto 
salvation. 

Thou preparest a table before me in the 
presence of mine enemies. As Thou, before 
Pilate and the unbelieving, hating, and in- 
sulting crowd, didst witness a good confes- 
sion, so enable me to bear testimony to Thy 
dying love to me before all the gazing world. 
As Thy beloved disciple, John, and Thy 
blessed Mother and her sister Mary, and 
Mary Magdalene, stood in silent love around 
in the hour of Thine agony, despising, as 



MEDITATIONS. 149 

Thou didst, the shame of the cross, and tes- 
tified their love for Thee when the hatred of 
Thine enemies was highest and fiercest, so 
enable me always to witness publicly to Thy 
dying love by being found at Thine altar in 
communion with Thee. 

Not from pride, as to show bravery before 
men, but from love to Thee, will I show Thy 
death in the presence of Thine enemies. 
While I commune with Thee, and Thou dost 
show Thy love to me, the world shall see my 
love to Thee. I will glory in Thy cross ; I 
will show that I love whom they neglect and 
hate ; I will testify that I seek life in Him 
whom they condemn to death. As the cen- 
turion, and those who stood by the cross 
watching Thee in Thy sufferings, were con- 
strained to say, when Thou gavest up the 
ghost. Truly this was the Son of God ; so 
also shall men be moved to confess Thee 
when they witness this, Thy dying love ; 
and as all the people who then came together 
to see the sight, when they saw how the sun 
was darkened and the veil of the temple 
was rent in twain, smote their breasts and 
returned; so shall those who witness the 
melting and touching displays of Thy love, 
go away stricken with penitence and holy 
awe, saying: God, Thou art terrible out 



150 PREPARATION FOR THE LORd's SUPPER. 

of Thy holy places : the God of Israel is He 
that giveth strength and power unto His 
people ! 

my soul, if thy cold love to thy Sayiour 
cannot move and constrain thee to this con- 
fession of thy Saviour, let at least His threat- 
enings arrest and alarm Thee. Hear the 
words of Thy Lord : Whosoever shall be 
ashamed of me, and of my words, in this 
adulterous and sinful generation ; of him 
also shall the Son of man he ashamed, when 
He cometh in the glory of His Father with 
the holv ano-els. 



EIGHTH MEDITATION. 

THE SACRAMENT OF RESURRECTION. 

Through death to life. By the first Adam 
came death ; by the second Adam comes the 
resurrection from the dead. Sayest thou, O 
my soul, with Martha : I know I shall rise 
in the resurrection at the last day ? Jesus 
answers : I am the resurrection, and the 
life : he that believeth in me, though he 
were dead, yet shall he live ; and whosoever 
liveth, and believeth in me, shall never die. 

As my eternal life begins in Thee, Thou 



MEDITATIONS. 151 

Conqueror of death and the grave, so in that 
life begins my resurrection. I have been 
buried with Thee by Baptism into death, 
wherein also I am risen in the likeness of 
Thy resurrection. If Christ be in me, the 
body is dead because of sin ; but the Spirit 
is life because of righteousness. But if the 
Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the 
dead dwell in me, He that raised up Christ 
from the dead, shall also quicken my mortal 
body by His Spirit that dwelleth in me. 

Thy life in me, Lord Jesus, is the resur- 
rection life. I die daily ; I rise daily. What 
Thou hast begun in me Thou wilt complete. 
To this end. Thou dost nourish in me that 
eternal life which at last shall triumph over 
the grave. With unspeakable joy I hear 
Thy words: Whoso eateth my flesh, and 
drinketh my blood, hath eternal life ; and I 
will raise him up at the last day. In Thy 
flesh and blood I have the medicine of im- 
mortality. By Thy life-giving flesh I am 
nourished in the life eternal. The life that 
is nourished in me by the true meat and 
drink, is the earnest and first-fruits of the 
resurrection. 

I am risen with Christ, and seek those 
things which are above, where Christ sitteth 
at the hand of God. In myself I am dead, 



152 PREPARATION FOR THE LORD's SUPPER. 

but my life is hid T\'ith Christ in God. When 
Christ, who is my life, shall appear, then 
shall I also appear with Him in glory. Now 
I count all things but loss for the excellency 
of Jesus Christ my Lord ; that I may be 
found in Him, and know Him, and the 
power of His resurrection, and the fellow- 
ship of His sufferings, being made conform- 
able unto His death ; if by any means I 
might attain unto the resurrection of the 
dead. 

Merciful God and Father, be pleased, I 
beseech Thee, in this Holy Supper, in which 
I commemorate the bitter death of Thy dear 
son, Jesus Christ, to work in my heart, by 
Thy Holy Spirit, that by a true faith I may 
devote myself more and more to Thee, and 
that my weary and broken heart may be fed 
and quickened by His true body and blood, 
even by Him who is true God and man, the 
only eternal bread from heaven ; so that I 
may no more live in my sins, but that He 
may live in me and I in Him; and that I 
may be so truly a partaker in the new and 
everlasting testament and covenant of grace, 
that I shall not doubt that Thou art for ever 
my gracious Father, who wilt no more re- 
member my sins against me, but wilt in all 
things provide for my soul and body, as for 



MEDITATIONS. 153 

Thine own dear children and heirs. Be- 
stow upon me also Thy grace, that I may 
meekly bear my cross, deny myself, confess 
my Saviour, and in all tribulation, with up- 
lifted head, look for my Lord Jesus Christ 
from heaven, who shall change my vile 
body, that it may be fashioned like unto His 
glorious body, and take me to Himself in 
everlasting joy and felicity ; to whom, with 
Thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honor and 
glory, world without end. Amen. 



NINTH MEDITATION. 

THE SACRAMENT OF FORETASTES. 

Behold ! now are we the sons of God, and 
it doth not yet appear what we shall be: 
but we know that, when He shall appear, 
we shall be like Him ; for we shall see Him 
as He is. What I here enjoy is but a fore- 
taste of what awaits me in the Church 
above. When that which is perfect is come, 
then that which is in part shall be done 
away. For now I see through a glass darkly ; 
but Thee face to face: now I knoAV in part, 
but then shall I know even as I am known. 



154 PREPARATION FOR THE LORD^S SUPPER. 

Glorious is the feast which Thou hast lefi 
us, dear Lord, and blessed the communion 
we have in it with Thee. But even bettei 
than this is the blessedness promised us in 
those farewell words of Thine: But I say 
unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this 
fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink 
it new with you in my Father's kingdom. 

Thou wilt drink it new with us ! What is 
this Thou sayest, blessed Lord ? Thou 
wilt drink it new with us in Thy Father's 
kingdom ! Is it so, that something better 
still awaits us. From a communion which 
is so heavenly in -Thy Church on earth, Thou 
dost point our souls away to a communion 
still better in the Church in Heaven. This 
bread cometh down from heaven as a fore- 
taste of what is there in reserve. This is as 
manna in the wilderness, but Thou tellest us 
of the fruits of Canaan. 

If these are the first-fruits what must be 
the harvest! If this is the earnest, what 
must be the glorious purchased possession! 
If this that we see and handle of the bread 
of life is so blessed, what must that be which 
eyes have not seen, of which ears have not 
heard, and which hath not entered the heart 
of man, prepared of God for them that love 
Him. 



MEDITATIONS. 155 

If such the sweetness of the stream, 

What must the fountain be; 
"Where saints and angels draw their hliss, 

Lord, direct from Thee! 

Now are we saved by hope ; but we look 
for that blessed hope, and the glorious ap- 
pearing of the great God, even our Saviour 
Jesus Christ. Whom having not seen, we 
love ; in whom, though now we see Ilim 
not, yet believing, we rejoice with joy un- 
speakable and full of glory. 

glorious day when Thou shalt appear 
for the manifestation of the sons of God. 
Till Thou come we show Thy death; and 
when Thou shalt come to be glorified in Thy 
saints, we shall fully know what that 
means : I will drink it new with you in my 
Father^s kingdom. Surely, Lord Jesus, 
Blessed are they which are called unto the 
marriage supper of the Lamb ! 



II. 

PEIYATE PREPAEATORY LITUEGY. 

To he used with the morning devotions on 
Communion day, or at any suitable time 
during private preparation for the Lord's 
Supper. 

Begin by devoutly reading some portion of 
Scripture. The following passages are 
particidarly suitable : Is. iii. ; St. Matth. 
xxvi. ; St. Mark xv. ; St. Luke xxiii ; St. 
John xviii. xix. ; 1 Cor. xi. 23-34 ; Ps. li. 

The blessed communion in the Sacrament 
of the Body and Blood of our Lord and Sa- 
viour, Jesus Christ, is the most solemn act 
of worship in which we can engage in the 
Church on earth. Hence the Holy Scrip- 
tures, in divers ways, warn those who turn 
not to God with sincere hearts, lest they in- 
crease their guilt and condemnation by an 
unworthy approach to the Table of the Lord. 
It becomes you, therefore, earnestly, de- 
voutly, humbly, and reverently to seek that 

(156) 



PRIVATE TREPARATORY LITURGY. 157 

preparation to which the Holy Ghost in the 
Sacred Scriptures move you, saying: 

Whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of 
the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and 
blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and 
so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he 
that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh 
damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. I 
will wash my hands in innocency ; and so will I compass 
thine altar, Lord. 

Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of 
devils : ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table and 
the table of devils. Know ye not that the unrighteou." 
shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 

When the King came in to see the guests, he saw there 
a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he 
saith unto him. Friend, how camest thou in hither, not 
having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. 
Then said the King to the servants. Bind him hand and 
foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer dark- 
ness I 

As they sat, and did eat, Jesus said. Verily I say unto 
you. One of you which eateth with me, shall betray me. 
And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him one 
by one, Is it I? and another said. Is it I? And he said, 
It is one of the twelve that dippeth with me in the dish. 
The Son of Man indeed goeth, as it is written of him : but 
wo to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! 
Good were it for that man if he had never been born ! 

Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? and who 
shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, 
and a pure heart. He that walketh uprightly, and work- 
eth righteousness; he shall receive the blessing from the 
Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. 

Unworthy, therefore, to come to the Table 



158 PREPARATION FOR THE LORD^S SUPPER. 

of the Lord are all whom the Scriptures de- 
clare unworthy : 

All enemies and despisers of Jesus Christ 
our Lord : 

All who wilfully and deliberately commit 
sin, continue in sin, and take pleasure in 
those that follow after evil : 

All who openly or secretly lead an immoral 
and vicious life: 

All who for temporal gain, earthly honor, 
or pleasure defile their consciences : 

All who practise dishonesty or fraud with 
their fellow-men : 

All who, for earthly advantage, follow an 
unlawful and wicked calling: 

All who are enemies to peace, and wick- 
edly instigate disturbance, mischief, and 
disorder in society : 

All who are wilfully unfaithful in keeping 
their words, promises, and vows: 

All who knowingly withstand the truth, 
or seek to pervert and darken it : 

All who take delight in the misfortune of 
others, who bear, and cherish, in their hearts, 
hatred, enmity, and grudging, and all who 
will not be reconciled ; and all unforgiving 
and revengeful persons : 

All who are under the power of impure 



PRIVATE PREPARATORY LITURGY. 159 

passions and lusts, and who suffer them to 
reign in their hearts : 

All who follow not after holiness, and 
peace with God, through our Lord Jesus 
Christ. 

All such are by the word and spirit of 
the gospel excluded from the Table of the 
Lord, until they have sincerely repented of 
these sins, and shown amendment of life ; 
and, excluded from the Holy Sacrament, 
they are also, by God, himself, excluded from 
the Kingdom of Christ, and stand exposed to 
the divine wrath and eternal condemnation, 
so long as they turn not to God and amend 
their lives. Therefore also now, saith the 
Lord, Turn ye even to me with all your 
heart, and W'ith fasting and with weeping, 
and with mourning : and rend your hearts, 
and turn unto the Lord your God : for he is 
gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of 
great kindness, he will return and pity His 
people that have sinned. 

The Lord^s Supper is instituted for those 
who lire truly sorrowful for all their sins, 
and yet trust that these are forgiven them 
for the sake of Christ: and that their re- 
maining infirmities are covered by his pas- 
sion and death : and w^ho also earnestly de- 



160 PREPARATION FOR THE LORD^S SUPPER. 

sire to have tlieir faith more and more 
strengthened, and their lives more holy. 

Welcome and invited, therefore, to the 
table of the Lord, are all whom Jesus invites 
to Himself: 

All who are poor in spirit ; 

All who mourn under a sense of sin ; 

All who are meek and lowly in heart ; 

All who hunger and thirst after righteous- 
ness ; 

All who are pure in heart; 

All who are peace-makers ; 

All who are reviled, falsely accused, and 
persecuted for righteousness^ sake ; 

All who are of an humble and contrite 
heart ; 

All who labor and are heavy-laden, and 
seek rest and peace. 

Invited are : 

All who truly believe in the Lord Jesus 
Christ, even though their faith be small as a 
grain of mustard seed, weak as the bruised 
reed, and feeble like the smoking flax. 

Invited are : 

All who earnestly strive to walk in the 
Spirit, and so crucify the flesh with its affec- 
tions and lusts ; 



PRIVATE PREPARATORY LITURGY. 161 

All who desire to cultivate the graces and 
fruits of the Spirit ; 

All who pra^^erfully endeavor to follow 
after charity, peace, holiness, and eternal 
life, in the kingdom of Jesus Christ our 
Lord. 

To all such the Spirit and the Bride say, 
Come. All such Jesus Himself invites ; and 
the Spirit and the Bride say. Come. He 
will not break the bruised reed, nor quench 
the smoking flax. Though conscience con- 
demn, and guilty fears arise. His promise is 
sure : Him that cometh to me, I will in no 
wise cast out. Everlasting praises be unto 
Him who receiveth sinners, and eateth with 
them ; unto Him be all honor and glory for 
ever and ever. Amen. 

Blessed are they who are called to the 
marriage supper of the Lamb ! Blessed are 
they who can receive out of this fulness 
grace and life ! Assurance of pardoned sin, 
increased love to God and man, greater 
power for doing and suffering, a more inti- 
mate union and communion with Christ, and 
a joyful foretaste of life eternal, are the 
blessings which those receive who eat and 
drink worthily. Heavenly food for a hea- 
venly life ! 

The Holv Scriptnrc3 assure us that to 
11 



162 PREPARATION FOR THE LORD^S SUPPER. 

attain unto a true comfort in life and in 
death, it is needful for us first of all to know 
and to feel how great our sins and miseries 
are. He that 'covereth his sins shall not 
prosper ; but whoso confesseth and forsaketh 
them shall have mercy. If we say that we 
have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the 
truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, 
He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, 
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 
Do you feel and acknowledge that sin is 
the greatest evil? Do you confess your 
own sins and infirmities with shame and 
sorrow of heart? Do you deeply realize 
that you are not able, by your own power, 
to deliver yourself from your sins and 
miseries ? 

All this I acknowledge and confess. Lord 
Jesus, have mercy upon me. Amen, 

We are also assured that whosoever con- 
fesseth Jesus Christ, and from the heart be- 
lieveth in Him, shall be saved : 

Do you confess Jesus Christ as the only 
Redeemer from sin and death ; and do you 
seek by a confiding faith, or by a hopeful 
trust, or, at least, by an ardent longing of 
desire, to find in Him alone the forgiveness 
of your sins, the redemption of your soul, 
and life everlasting ? 



PRIVATE PREPARATORY LITURGY. 1G3 

So I confess, and so I hope and desire. 
Lord, in Thee have I trusted, let me never 
be confounded. Amen. 

As an evidence of our interest in the par- 
doning love of Christ, it becomes us to show 
our gratitude to God by a life of holy obe- 
dience to Ilis will : 

Are you fully persuaded that true faith 
must be active in love and good works ; and 
is it your solemn purpose earnestly to seek 
the influences of the Holy Ghost, that He 
may work in you the fruits and graces of 
the Spirit, so that you may show your grati- 
tude to God your Redeemer by a holy life, 
especially by humility and meekness ; by 
cultivating and exercising a forgiving spirit; 
by cleansing your heart from hatred and 
revenge; by benevolence and watchfulness ; 
by perseverance in prayer, and a holy zeal 
in all that is good? And is it your ardent 
desire thus to become more and more like 
your Saviour in spirit and in life ? 

So am I persuaded, and so, by the help of 
God, I promise to do. Lord Jesus, assist me 
by Thy Holy Spirit. Amen. 

Be assured that tlie Lord has heard your 
confession, and that He will accept it, with 
the solemn renewal of your vows ; and, 
having a great High -priest which can be 



164 PREPARATION FOR THE LORD^S SUPPER. 

touched with a feeling of our infirmities, 
and who was in all points tempted as we 
are, yet without sin, come now boldly to the 
throne of grace, that you may obtain mercy, 
and find grace to help in time of need. 



AN ACT OF CONFESSION AND SUP- 
PLICATION. 

Almighty, Holy, and most Merciful God, 
before whom all hearts are open and all de- 
sires known, deeply humbled because of ni}^ 
sins, I make confession unto Thee. My 
sins, Lord, if I would I cannot hide from 
Thee ; for Thou searchest the heart and 
triest the reins, and all things are naked 
and open unto Thee with whom we have to 
do. 

Against Thee, Thee only, have I sinned. 
I have sinned through ignorance and error ; 
I have sinned through weakness ; I have 
sinned through rashness; I have sinned 
through neglect of my duties and privi- 
leges ; I have sinned through unfaithfulness 
to my most solemn vows made unto Thee ; I 
have sinned against Thee, Lord, in not 



PRIVATE PREPARATORY LITURGY. 165 

loving Thee with all my heart, with all my 
soul, with all my mind, and with all my 
strength ; I have sinned against my fellow- 
beings, whom Thou hast taught me to love 
as myself ; I have s-inned against myself, in 
yielding to the seducements of the world, the 
flesh, and the devil : 

Lord, be merciful unto me, a sinner. 

Wherein I have sinned against Thee, 
Lord, in doing the things I ought not to 
have done, and in leaving undone the things 
which it was my duty to do : 

Lord forgive. 

Wherein I have offended, or grieved, or 
injured any of my fellow-beings in word or 
in deed : 

Lord forgive. 

Wherein I have been incorrect and un- 
grateful to those whom Thou hast placed 
over me in the family, in the state, or in the 
church : 

Lord forgive. 

Wherein I have entertained envy, ill-will, 
malice, or any other unholy feeling towards 
any one : 

Lord forgive. 

Wherein I have fallen under the power 
of impure passions, affections and desires, 



166 PREPARATION FOR THE LORD^S SUPPER. 

and thus have grieved Thy Holy Spirit 
within me : 

Lord forgive. 

All the sins v^hich I know, and all which 
I know not : 

Lord forgive. 

Thou, who didst pardon and justify the 
publican, who, for shame of his sins, would 
not so much as lift his eyes towards heaven, 
but smote on his breast, and said, God be 
merciful to me a sinner : 

Be merciful to me, a sinner. 

Thou, who didst not cast from Thee 
Mary Magdalene, who was so great a sinner, 
but didst say. Thy sins, which are many, 
are forgiven : 

My sins, which are many, Lord forgive. 

Thou, who didst cast a melting look of 
mercy and love upon Peter, though he wick- 
edly denied Thee thrice : 

Grant me penitence and pardon. 

Thou, who didst not despise the prayer 
of the malefactor on the Cross, but didst 
graciously promise him an abode in Thy 
paradise : cast me not away, who am also 
the purchase of Thy dreadful passion and 
bitter death : 

Lord Jesus, remember me, now that Thou 
art in Thy kingdom. 



PRIVATE PREPARATORY LITURGY. 167 

Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the 
Father, that takest away the sins of the 
world : 

Have mercy on me. 

Thou that takest away the sins of the 
world : 

Have mercy on me. 

Thou that takest away the sins of the 
world : 

Receive my prayer. 

Thou that sittest at the right hand of God 
the Father : 

Have mercy on me. 

For Thou only art holy: Thou only art 
the Lord: Thou only, Christ, with the 
Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of 
the Father. 

Lord Jesus, to whom shall I go but unto 
Thee, Thou hast the words of eternal life: 
and I believe, and am sure that Thou art 
that Christ, the Son of the living God. 

With penitent and believing heart, 
Lord, I offer myself anew unto Thee through 
the merits of Thy dear Son, our Saviour. 
Forever unbroken be the vow of this cove- 
nant, which I here renew upon my sinful 
knees, in grateful remembrance of His Cross 
and bitter passion. May the merits of His 
death be mine in life : may the power of His 



168 PREPARATION FOR THE LORD's SUPPER. 

life be my strength in death : and may His 
glory be my joy and blessedness in Thine 
everlasting kingdom : vfhere He liveth and 
reigneth, with Thee and the Holy Ghost, 
ever one God, v^orld without end : 
Amen. 

Having made this confession, and offered 
this prayer : Hear, now, with a believing 
heart, the gracious promises of Him who 
hath no pleasure in the death of a sinner, 
and who bore all our sins in His own body 
upon the tree : 

If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, 
and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him 
from the dead, thou shalt he saved. For with the heart, 
man helieveth unto righteousness : and with the mouth, 
confession is made unto salvation. — Rom. x. 9, 10. 

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive 
us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. — 
1 John i. 9. 

Him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out. — 
St. John vi. 37. 

Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, 
and I will give you rest. — St. Matt. xi. 28. 

These precious prom-ises I embrace with a 
believing heart. They are yea and amen, 
in Christ Jesus. The Almighty God, the 
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, be merciful 
and gracious unto me, confirming toward me 



PRIVATE PREPARATORY LITURGY. 169 

His love, for the sake of Ilis dear Son, our 
Saviour, who suffered, and died, and arose, 
and ascended, and intercedes, and reigns 
for me, in union with the Father and the 
Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without 
end : 
Amen. 



III. 

PRAYERS BEFORE THE COMMU- 
NION. 

To he used in church, as time tvill permit, he- 
fore the communion begins, and while others 
are communing. These devotions may also 
he used at home hefore going to the church. 

LITANY. 

God the Father of Heaven : 

God the Son, Redeemer of the world : 

God the Holy Spirit: 

Holy Trinity, one God : 

Have mercy upon us. 

Help me, God my Saviour. 
From the dominion of all vices : 
From blindness of heart : 
From all evil : 
Good Lord deliver me. 

We sinners do beseech Thee to hear us. 

That Thou spare us : 

We beseech Thee to hear us, 

(170) 



PRAYERS BEFORE THE COMMUNION. 171 

That Thou give us a sure hope : 

That Thou vouchsafe us a right faith: 

That Thou bestow on us perfect love : 

That Thou mortify in us the loathsome 
forms of all vices : 

That Thou quicken us Avith the excellency 
of all virtues : 

That by Thine Incarnation Thou wouldst 
open for us an entrance into the holy of 
holies : 

That by this most holy Mystery Thou 
wouldst renew our sovils and bodies : 

That by it Thou wouldst purify our con- 
sciences : 

That Thou suffer not this tremendous 
Mystery to become our condemnation : 

That we may handle Avith pure hands this 
holy Sacrament; 

That Ave may receive it with pure 
minds : 

That by it Ave may receive pardon of all 
sins : 

That by it we may be able CA^ermore to 
cleave unto Thee : 

That by it we may be thought Avorthy to 
have Thee dAvelling in us, and ourselves to 
dwell in Thee : 

That it may please 'Thee to preserve the 



172 PREPARATION FOR THE LORD^S SUPPER. 

Christian people who have been redeemed 
"by Thy most precious blood : 

We beseech Thee to hear us, Lord. 

Take away from us, we beseech Thee, 
Lord, all our iniquities, and the spirit of 
pride and arrogance, which Thou resistest, 
and fill us with the spirit of fear, and give 
us a contrite and humble heart, which 
Thou dost not despise, that we may be ena- 
bled with pure minds to enter into the holy 
of holies ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

Almighty and everlasting God, who re- 
storest us by the blessed Passion of Thy 
Christ, preserve in us the works of Thy 
mercy ; that in the celebration of this mys- 
tery, our lives may be continually devout ; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, 
that we who are incessantly afSicted by our 
own transgressions, may be delivered by the 
Passion of Thine only begotten Son, who 
with Thee and the Holy Ghost, liveth and 
reigneth, ever one God, world without end. 
Amen. 

Lord Jesus Christ, who didst stretch out 



PRAYERS BEFORE THE COMMUNION. 173 

Thine hands on the Cross, and redeem us 
by Thy blood, forgive me a sinner, for none 
of my thoughts are hid from Thee. Pardon 
I ask, pardon I hope for, pardon I trust to 
have. Thou who art pitiful and merciful, 
spare and forgive me. Amen. 

We Thy servants, Lord, boAV down be- 
fore Thy holy Altar, awaiting Thy rich mer- 
cies. Send forth upon us, Lord, Thine 
abundant grace and benediction, and hallow 
our souls, and bodies, and spirits, that we 
may be made worthy communicants of Thy 
holy Mysteries, unto the remission of sins 
and eternal life. Amen. 

Grant, Lord, that our bodies may be 
sanctified by Thy holy Body, and our souls 
purified by Thine atoning Blood, and that 
they may avail for the pardon of our offences 
and remission of our sins. Glory be to Thee 
for ever, Lord God ! Amen. 

Almighty and Eternal God, whom all 
creatures honor, worship, and praise, as then- 
Creator and Father ; grant that we, poor 
sinners, may fulfil with true sincerity and 
faith, what Thine only begotten Son, our 
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, has com- 



174 PREPARATION FOR THE LORD's SUPPER. 

manded all who believe to do in remembrance 
of His death ; through the same our Lord 
Jesus Christ Thy Son, who with Thee liveth 
and reigneth in the unity of the Holy Ghost, 
one God, world without end. Amen. 

Lord God, our Lord, reject me not, 
though defiled by a multitude of sins ; for, 
behold, I approach to this Thy divine and 
heavenly Mystery. Not as being worthy, 
but looking only to Thy Goodness, I lift up 
my voice unto Thee. God, be merciful 
to me a sinner! I have sinned against 
Heaven and before Thee, and am not worthy 
to look upon this Thy holy and spiritual 
Table, whereon Thine only begotten Son, 
our Lord Jesus Christ, is mystically set 
forth as a Sacrifice for me a sinner. Jesus, 
Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of 
the world, have mercy upon me. In Thy 
divine tenderness do Thou vouchsafe me, by 
Thy grace, to partake of Thy holy Body 
and precious Blood, without condemnation, 
unto remission of sins and eternal life. 
Amen. 

BLESSED Jesus, let all my sins be done 
away through Thy sufi"erings. Let my 
wounds be healed by Thy stripes. Let my 



PRAYERS BEFORE THE COMMUNION. 175 

punishment be cancelled by Thy Cross. 
Let Th}^ pains deliver me from the pains of 
hell ; and Thy labors procure my rest with 
the saints in heaven. Let Thy captivity be 
my redemption, Thy humiliation my exal- 
tation, Thy Cross my crown, and Thy death 
my life for evermore. Amen. 

By Thy crucified Body, Christ, deliver 
us from this body of sin and death ; and by 
Thy life-giving Blood purge our consciences 
from dead works, to serve Thee, the living 
God. 

Grant, Lord my God, that we may all 
so receive the Body and Blood of our Lord 
Jesus Christ, as to obtain the remission of 
our sins, and to be replenished with Thy 
Holy Spirit, who livest and reignest, Fa- 
ther, Son, and Holy Ghost, one God, blessed 
for ever. Amen. 



176 PREPARATION FOR THE LORD^S SUPPER. 



PRAYERS DURING COMMUNION. 

When the minister comes to the altar j to pre- 
pare for the communion, say : 

Let all corruptible flesh be silent, and 
stand witli fear and trembling, and think 
nothing that is earthly or unholy. 

The King of kings, and Lord of lords, 
comes down from heaven unto us, and gives 
Himself to be meat for the souls of all His 
faithful people. 

The glorious company of angels behold 
v^ith wonder, God, the love and conde- 
scension of Thine adorable, true, and only 
Son. 

Thrones and dominions, the cherubim 
and seraphim, cover their faces before the 
majesty of His glory, and sing perpetually, 
Hallelujah, Hallelujah ! 

Glory be to God on high ; and on earth 
peace ; good-will to men. Amen. 

When the minister uncovers the elements, 
say: 

blessed Jesus, in the bread broken I be- 



PRAYERS DURING COMMUNION. 177 

hold, with the eye of faith, Thy Body torn 
with whips, and thorns, and nails. 

And in the wine poured out, I behold Thy 
Blood shed for my sins. 

Glory be to Thee, Lamb of God, that 
takest away the sin of the world. Amen. 

Before you approach the altar, say : 

This is Thy Body, blessed Saviour, and 
this is Thy Blood. 

Thine was the smart, but mine the ease ; 

Thine were the sufferings, but mine is the 
mercy ; 

Thine were the stripes, but mine is the 
balm ; 

Thine were the thorns, but mine is the 
crown ; 

Thine was the death, but mine is the 
life. 

complete Thy mercy in me ! 

Come Holy Jesus, come and take posses- 
sion of my soul. 

Purify me with Thy precious Body and 
Blood. 

Cleanse me from all filthiness of flesh and 
spirit ; that being fitted for Thy habitation, 
it may please Thee to abide with me for 
ever. Amen. 
12 



178 PREPARATION TOR THE LORD's SUPPER. 

Whe7i you have returyied to your pew, say : 

give thanks unto the Lord; for He is 
good ; for His mercy endureth forever. 

Praise, and honor, and worship be unto 
Thee, who wast dead but art alive for ever- 
more ; for Thou hast redeemed me by Thy 
blood, Lamb of God that takest away the 
sin of the world. 

From the fulness of my heart I bless 
Thee now, and will give Thee higher praise 
when with purer lips I shall worship Thee 
in heaven. 

Thou hast heard my vows, which I have 
now renewed at Thine altar ; help me faith- 
fully to keep them. Give me grace to believe 
as Thou didst believe ; to walk as Thou hast 
given me an example ; to endure as Thou 
didst endure ; and to love as Thou hast loved 
me. 

Thou didst ascend in triumph, King of 
glory ; but, according to Thy promise. Thou 
art with Thy Church always, even to the 
end of the world. To me also Thou hast 
been near in this holy hour, Thou whom 
having not seen I love, and in whom, though 
now I see Thee not, I believe and rejoice 
with joy unspeakable and full of glory. 
"With what nobler joy shall I be glad in 



PRAYERS DURING COMMUNION. 179 

Thee, when I shall see Thee face to face, 
and know even as I am known ! 

Behold, now am I saved in hope ; and I 
look for the glorious appearing of the great 
God, even our Saviour Jesus Christ. Until 
Thou come, I show forth Thy death. Thou 
wilt appear for the full salvation of all who 
hope in Thee. In due time let it break in 
upon us, that glorious day when Thou, who 
art our life, shalt appear, and when we, 
whose lives are hid with Thee in God, shall 
appear with Thee in glory. 

Then, Lord Jesus, shall we drink new 
with Thee of the fruit of the vine, in Thy 
Father^s kingdom ; and join with angels and 
saints, in ascribing blessing, and honor, and 
glory, and power, unto Him who creates, 
unto Him who redeems, and unto Him who 
sanctifies, the holy, blessed, and glorious 
Trinity, ever one God, world without end. 
Amen. 



180 PREPARATION FOR THE LORD^S SUPPER. 



PRAYERS AFTER HAYING COM- 
MUNED. 

These prayers, or some of them, may he used 
while others are still communing , or pri- 
vately after having returned home. 

God, who of Thy deep and ineffable love 
to man hast condescended to the weakness 
of Thy servants, and made us partakers of 
this heavenly table ; condemn not us sinners 
after the reception of Thy spotless Myste- 
ries, but guard us, of Thy goodness, in the 
sanctification of the Holy Spirit ; that being 
made holy, we may find our portion and in- 
heritance with all the saints who have pleased 
Thee from the beginning, in the light of Thy 
countenance ; through the mercies of Thine 
Only-begotten Son, our Lord God and Sa- 
viour, Jesus Christ. Amen. 

Light of Light, and God of God, who 
didst bow Thy holy heavens, and descend to 
earth for the salvation of the Avorld, out of 
Thy love of man ; extend Thine Almighty 
right hand, and send out Thy blessings on 
us all. Hallow our bodies and souls by this 
Sacrament which we have received, and 



PRAYERS AFTER COMMUNION. 181 

guide our steps into the paths of righteous- 
ness, that we may behave ourselves accord- 
ing to Thy will, and observe Thy command- 
ments and do them all tlie days of our life, 
and come to a blessed end, and sing a cease- 
less hymn with Tliy saints to Thee, and Thy 
Father, and Thy Holy Spirit. Amen. 

O Lord, Almighty God, who through Thy 
Spirit hast made us one body in the unity 
of the faith, which body Thou hast com- 
manded to give praise and thanks unto Thee 
for Thy goodness and free grace in giving 
Thine Only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus 
Christ, for our sins to suffer death ; enable 
us to live in such innocence as becomes Thy 
body and Thy children, that so the unbe- 
lieving may also learn to honor Thy name. 
Preserve us, Lord, that no love of life may 
weaken our love to Thee. Ever increase our 
faith, even our trust in Thee, Lord, who 
livest and reignest forever and ever. Amen. 

Tnou hast given us, Lord, sanctification 
by the Communion of the most holy Body 
and precious Blood of Thine only-begotten 
Son ; grant us also the grace and gift of Thy 
Holy Spirit, and keep us unreproved in life, 
and lead us on to perfect adoption and re- 
demption, and eternal joys to come. Amen. 



182 PREPARATION FOR THE LORD^S SUPPER. 

Deliver us from evil, Lord Jesus Christ ! 
We eat Thy Body, which was cruciJBed for 
us, and we drink Thy Blood, which was shed 
for us ; may Thy holy Body prove our salva- 
tion, and Thy Blood the forgiveness of our 
sins, both now and forever. Amen. 

God, who art eternal salvation, and in- 
estimable blessedness, grant, we beseech 
Thee, to all Thy servants, that we who have 
received things holy and blessed, may be 
enabled to be holy and blessed evermore. 
Amen. 

Look upon us, Lord, who wiliest us both 
to feed on Thy Body and to be united with 
Thy Body ; grant that what we have received 
may avail for the remission of our sins ; 
and may the Divine sustenance, constituted 
by Thy benediction, so unite itself to our 
souls, that the flesh being subdued to the 
spirit, may obey, and not rebel. Amen. 

Preserve in us, Lord, the gift of Thy 
grace ; that by the power and virtue of the 
Holy Eucharist, which we have received, we 
may be fortified against all evils of this life 
and of the life to come. Amen. 

1 GIVE Thee thanks, Lord, holy Father, 
Almighty, everlasting God, who hast re- 



PRAYERS AFTER COMMUNION. 183 

freshed me with the most holy Body and 
Blood of Thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord ; 
and I pray that this Sacrament of my salva- 
tion, which I, unworthy sinner, have re- 
ceived, may not turn to my judgment nor 
condemnation, according to my deserts, but 
to the profit of my body and soul, unto life 
eternal. Amen. 

Pour down upon us, Lord, the Spirit of 
Thy love, that Thou mayest preserve in the 
same piety those whom Thou hast satisfied 
with Thy heavenly Bread : through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

MERCIFUL God, may the holy communion 
of the Body and Blood of Thy Son cleanse 
us from guilt, and prepare us to be partakers 
at last of the joy of heaven : through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Grant, Lord, that what we have taken 
with our mouth we may receive with our 
soul ; and let that which has been to us a 
temporary gift, become to us an everlasting 
remedy : through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

1 adore and worship, I thank and praise 
Thee, most merciful Saviour, who hast vouch- 



184 PREPARATION FOR THE LORD's SUPPER. 

safed to admit me to Thy holy table, and to 
feed me at the banquet of that most heavenly 
food. Accept, dearest Xord, the act which I 
have performed, and bless it, and pardon all 
my imperfections and faults. Let this holy 
Sacrament repair in me all decay of piety 
and devotion, and supply the many and great 
necessities of my soul. Let it mortify in me 
whatever is displeasing to Thee, and promote 
and cherish whatever is agreeable to Thy 
sacred will. Let it render my spirit, my 
soul, my body, conformable to the spirit, 
soul, and body of Thy holy humanity ; and 
illuminate the darkness of my nature with 
the light of Thy divinity. Let it establish 
me in Thy love, by so strict and entire an 
union with Thee, that I may be wholly 
changed and transformed unto Thee, to the 
glory and honor of Thy blessed name, for- 
ever and ever. Amen. 



PRAYER, INTERCESSION, AND PRAISE. 185 



PRAYER, INTERCESSION, AND 
PRAISE. 

After tlie communion, at home. 

Lord, God Almighty, the Father of 
Jesus Christ Thy blessed Son, who always 
hearest those who call upon Thee in upright- 
ness, and knowest the petitions even of those 
that are silent: I render Thee thanks, that 
Thou hast deemed me worthy to partake of 
Thy holy mysteries for the full assurance of 
faith, for the preservation of piety, and for 
the remission of sins. Thou who hast 
separated me from the communion of the 
wicked, unite me forever with those who are 
consecrated unto Thee. Establish me in the 
truth by the inspiration of Thy Holy Spirit. 
Reveal what is unknown, supply what is 
defective, and strengthen what is begun. 

Keep our pastors blameless in Thy wor- 
ship : preserve our land in peace, our rulers 
in righteousness, and the world in Thy wise, 
good, and all-powerful providence. 

Dispose the nations to peace, convert them 
from their errors, and sanctify Thine own 
people, that they may offer unto Thee spirit- 
ual sacrifices, holy, and acceptable to Thee. 



186 PREPARATION FOR THE LORD'S SUPPER. 

Preserve and bless all Thy families. Those 
that are in infancy nurture : the newly con- 
firmed establish : the catechumens instruct, 
and render them worthy of full initiation 
into Thy Church ; and grant, O Lord, to lead 
us all into Thy heavenly kingdom, through 
Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with Thee 
and the Holy Ghost, be glory, and honor, 
and dominion, and praise, world without 
end. Amen. 

Lord, the true and only God : who art 
everywhere present, and present in all 
things : who art not made old by time : who 
art not bounded by ages: who art not misled 
by reason : who art not under the power of 
nature, above destruction, and not subject to 
change, dwelling in light that is inaccessi- 
ble, and yet known to Thy people who be- 
lieve in Jesus Christ : Being of great mercy, 
hear me for Thy name^s sake. Bless those 
who have partaken of the most comfortable 
communion of Thy Body and Blood, and 
satisfy them in all their holy desires and 
petitions, and let no one become a castaway 
from Thy grace and kingdom ; but sanctify 
them, keep watch over them, shelter them, 
assist them, defend them from the devil,, and 
from every foe ; guard their families, pre- 
serve them in their going out and in their 



PRAYER, INTERCESSION, AND PRAISE. 187 

coming in : for unto Thee, and to Thy Son 
Jesus Christ, our Lord and King, and to the 
Holy Ghost, belongs the power, and unto 
Thee shall be given the praise, glory, ma- 
jesty, reverence, and adoration, now and 
evermore, world without end. Amen. 

Glory be to the Father of mercies : the 
Father of men and angels : the Father of 
our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Glory be to Thee, most holy and eternal 
Son of God : the blessed Saviour and Ke- 
deemer of the world : the Advocate of sin- 
ners: the Prince of peace: the Head of the 
Church: and the Deliverer of all that call 
upon Thee. 

Glory be to Thee, the holy and eternal 
Spirit of God, that searchest all things : the 
Lord and Giver of life : the Comforter and 
Sanctifier of the saints. 

All glory and honor, all love and obe- 
dience, be to Thee, undivided, holy, blessed, 
and adorable Trinity: forever and ever. 
Amen. 

It is meet and right to praise and to glo- 
rify, to worship and adore, to bless and to 
magnify Thee, Lord God Almighty, Father, 
Son, and Holy Ghost: Maker of all creatures, 
visible and invisible : Treasure of all good, 



188 PREPARATION FOR THE LORD^S SUPPER. 

temporal and eternal : Fountain of all life, 
mortal and immortal: the Lord of all things 
in heaven and in earth. 

The heavens, and the heaven of heavens, 
and every power therein : 

The earth and the sea, the heights above 
and the depths below : 

Jerusalem that is from above : 

The joyful assembly and Church of the 
first-born on high : 

The spirits of the prophets, and of just 
men made perfect : 

The souls of apostles and of all holy mar- 
tyrs : 

The holy Church throughout all the world : 

Angels and archangels, thrones and domi- 
nions, principalities and powers, cherubim 
and seraphim : 

With never-ceasing hymns and perpetual 
anthems, with united voice, continually do 
cry: 

Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Sabaoth, 
heaven and earth are full of the majesty of 
Thy glory. Hosanna in the highest ! Blessed 
is He that cometh in the name of the Lord. 
Hosanna in the highest ! 

The heavens declare Thy glory : the earth 
confesseth Thy providence : the sea manifests 
Thy power; and every creature celebrates 
Thy greatness forever and ever. Amen. 



PART in. 



PRIVATE PREPARATION FOR PUBLIC 
WORSHIP. 



(189) 



and no^iO'T^ ^(^fie^ec'i^ ine anaeid and <yac7itii 
0/ neaven memdet^ed aie e?n^t/ay€d. ^y^ iii 
an adv^ocai:e /ar the aioiUy', a ^edcTn/Ucon /of^ 
ine cahhv-e, a ^edi^ /cr the ^(/eatied, and a 

n^a£cn=taz(/e'}'^ taniid-d lac <siee/i, and C{^1> da/6= 
aua/id 'wmiiii; ^{^c a^c/a■n^e. 

(190) 



PRIVATE PREPARATION 

roR 

PUBLIC WORSHIP. 



Retire into secret before going to tlie sanc- 
tuary, and begin your devotions by reading 
some portion of Scripture. It ivill alioays 
be in place to read the Gospel and Epistle 
for the day. The following sentences will 
suggest suitable meditations, and aioaken 
devotional feelings. 

Yo shall keep my Sabbaths, and reverence my sanctu- 
ary ; I am the Lord. — Lev. xix. 30. 

Jesus went out unto the Mount of Olives : and early In 
the morning he came again into the temple, and all the 
people came unto him; and he sat down and taught them. 
— John viii. 1, 2. 

Not forgetting the assembling of ourselves together, as 
the manner of some is. — Heb. x. 25. 



Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and 
be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools : 
for they consider not that they do evil. 

Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be 
hasty to utter anything before the Lord: for God is in 

(191) 



192 PREPARATION FOR PUBLIC WORSHIP. 

heaven, and thou upon earth : therefore let thy words be 
few. — EccL. V. 1, 2. 

Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name : bring 
an offering, and come into his courts. worship the Lord 
in the beauty of holiness : fear before him all the earth. — 
Ps. xcvi. 8, 9. 

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his 
courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his 
name. — Ps. c. 4. 



The Lord hath chosen Zion : he hath desired it for his 
habitation. 

This is my rest for ever : here will I dwell ; for I have 
desired it. 

I will abundantly bless her provision : I will satisfy her 
poor with bread. 

I will also clothe her priests with salvation, and her 
saints shall shout aloud for joy. — Ps. cxxxii, 13-16. 



I was glad when they said unto me, We will go into the 
house of the Lord. Our feet shall stand within thy gates, 
Jerusalem. — Ps. cxxii. 1, 2. 

The Lord loveth the gates of Zion more than all the 
dwellings of Jacob. The Lord shall count, when he writeth 
up the people that this man was born there. All my 
springs are in thee. — Ps. Ixxxvii. 2, 6, 7. 

How amiable are thy tabernacles, Lord of hosts! 

My sovil longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the 
Lord : my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living 
God. 

Blessed are they that dwell in thy house : they will be 
Btill praising thee. 

A day in thy courts is better thau a thousand. I had 



PRIVATE DEVOTIONS. 193 

rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to 
dwell in the tents of wickedness. — Ps. Ixxxvi. 1, 2, 4, 10. 

One thing have I desired of the liOrd, that will I seek 
after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the 
days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to 
inquire in his temple. — Ps. xxvii. 4. 

As for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude 
of thy mercy : and in thy fear will I worship toward thy 
holy temple. — Ps. v 7. 

Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to 
approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts : we 
shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of 
thy holy temple. — Ps. Ixv. 4. 

VTe have thought of thy loving kindness, God, in the 
midst of thy temple. — Ps. xlviii. 9. 



Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? and who 
shall stand in His holy place ? 

Ho that hath clean hands and a pure heart ; who hath 
not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. 

He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and right- 
eousness from the God of his salvation. — Ps. xxiv. 3-5. 



Then lixtmhly kneeling, say : 

Holy and Merciful God, who hast said, 
lie that covereth his sins shall not prosper ; 
but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them 
shall have mercy ; I, a poor sinful being, 
confess before Thee, my Lord and God, that 
I have greatly offended against Thee every 
13 



194 PREPARATION FOR PUBLIC WORSHIP. 

day of my life, in words, deeds, and thoughts : 
by neglect of what is good and practice of 
what is evil, as is known to Thee, Thou 
Searcher of hearts. These my sins I bewail 
before Thee, and desire Thy mercy. Lord, 
merciful God, for the sake of the bitter pas- 
sion and death . of Thy dear Son, my Lord 
Jesus Christ, the only Mediator between 
God and man, pardon my iniquities, as I 
also forgive all who have offended against 
me, with the hearty desire that Thou, 
merciful Father, wouldst grant to them, to 
me, and to all sinners, Thy pardon, and 
bring us all from our present misery into 
everlasting life. Amen. 

God, who through Thy holy apostle hast 
declared, as unto me, that if I confess with 
my mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in my 
heart that Thou hast raised Him from the 
dead, I shall be saved : Grant me grace, I 
beseech Thee, at this time, with all my heart 
to believe unto righteousness, and with my 
mouth to make confession unto salvation : 

1 believe in God the Father, etc. 

Lord, I believe ; help Thou mine unbelief. 
Increase, strengthen, and confirm my faith; 
and let it bring forth in my heart and life 
its true and blessed fruits to the praise of 
Thy glorious grace. Amen. 



PRIVATE DEVOTIONS. 195 

Praise waiteth for Thee, God, in Zion ; 
and unto Thee shall the vow l3e performed. 
Thou that hearest prayer, unto Thee shall 
all flesh come. I will come into Thy house 
in the multitude of Th}^ mercy ; and in Thy 
fear will I worship toward Thy holy temple. 
My praise shall be to Thee in the great con- 
gregation : I will pay my vows before them 
that fear Thee. Let Thy presence go with 
me to lead me, and bring me to Thy holy 
hill, and to Thy tabernacles. Then will I 
come unto the altar of God, unto God my 
exceeding joy. Show me Thy power and 
Thy glory, Lord, so as I have seen them 
in the sanctuary. Assist me, by Thy Holy 
Spirit, in the worship of Thy house. As 
Abraham drove away the fowls that came 
down upon his sacrifice, so help me to banish 
all vain and evil thoughts far from me. Let 
the words of my mouth, and the meditation 
of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, 
Lord, my Strength and my Redeemer. 
Amen. 

Christ, the true Priest, whose Priest- 
hood never passeth away, let Thy power 
come to the aid of Thy servant, my pastor ; 
and clothe him with glory and beauty, that 
he may carefully and excellently discharge 
his ministry according to Thy pleasure ; and 



196 PREPARATION FOR PUBLIC ■VYORSHIP. 

as he has received his talents to be profitably 
employed as the Spirit giveth ability, may 
he have grace to use them with abundant 
gain, that he may become worthy to hear 
that voice full of hope. Enter Thou into the 
joy of thy Lord. May he go on, Lord, 
from strength to strength ; lift him up while 
he worships Thee, and ministers to us ; per- 
fect Thy gifts in him, and crown his head as 
with a diadem ; and in his heart as in an 
ark, may Thy grace be stored up ; grant 
him Thine abundant help, and fill his min- 
istrations with power. Amen. 

Bless, Lord, Thy family together in 
heavenly places, and fill us with Thy spirit- 
ual gifts; grant us love, joy, peace, patience, 
goodness, gentleness, hope, faith, chastity; 
that being replenished with all Thy gifts, 
we may worship Thee acceptably in Thine 
holy temple, and attain our desire of coming 
safely unto Thee at last ; through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Our Father, etc. 

HYMN. 

for a heart to praise my God, 

A heart from sin set free! 
A heart that always feels Thy blood, 

So freely shed for me! 



PRIVATE DEVOTIONS IN THE CHURCH. 197 

A heart resign'd, submissive, meek; 

My great Redeemer's throne ; 
Where only Christ is heard to speak; 

Where Jesus reigns alone! 

for a lowly, contrite heart, 

Believing, true, and clean ; 
Which neither life nor death can part 

From Him that dwells within. 

A heart in ev'ry thought renew'd, 

And full of love divine ; 
Holy, and right, and pure, and good — 

A copy, Lord, of Thine ! 

Thy nature, gracious Lord, impart; 

Come quickly from above; 
Write Thy new name upon my heart, 

Thy new best name of Love. 



PMVATE DEVOTIONS IN THE 
CHURCH. 

Malce it a rule to he at cliurcli in good time, 
that your entering late may not disturb the 
devotion of others, and also that you may 
have time for private worsJiip. Pass softly 
and reverently to your pew, and engage in 
private devotions, using as many of the 
following prayers as time will allow. 

The Lord is in His holy temple ; let all the earth keep 
silence before Him ! 



198 PRIVATE PREPARATION JOR WORSHIP. 

Holiness becometh Thy house, Lord, for ever. 

As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth 
my soul after Thee, God. My soul thirsteth for God, for 
the living God. — Vs. xlii. 1, 2. 

Holy and Merciful God, Father of our 
Lord Jesus Christ, we have assembled in 
Thy holy presence on this sacred day of rest, 
that vfe may be instructed from Thy divine 
Word for the salvation of our souls. Dwell 
Thou, therefore, according to Thy promise, 
among us during our service. Bless our 
singing and praying. Bestow upon Thy 
servant courage and wisdom, with all free- 
dom and godly simplicity to declare Thy 
word. Fix our minds upon the one thing 
needful, and banish far from us all disturb- 
ing thoughts, that we may be exercised in 
the •'spirit of true devotion. Work in us 
mightily by Thy Holy Spirit, that our un- 
derstandings may be enlightened, our wills 
sanctified, and all our desires directed toward 
Thee. Open our hearts that Thy word may 
enter and take root, and bring forth much 
fruit unto eternal life. Hear us, Lord, for 
Jesus^ sake, to whom, with Thee and the 
Holy Ghost, be all honor, and praise, and 
glory, world without end. Amen. 

LIFE-GIVING Master, and Bestower of 
good things, who hast given unto men the 



PRIVATE DEVOTIONS IN THE CHURCH. 199 

Blessed Hope of everlasting life, our Lord 
Jesus Christ; grant us to perform this divine 
service unto Thee in holiness, that we may 
enjoy the blessedness to come ; and being 
evermore guarded by Thy power, and guided 
into the light of truth, may continually ren- 
der unto Thee all glory and thanksgiving. 
Amen. 

Holy, Most High, Awful, who dwellest in 
the holy place, make us holy, and bring us 
near to Thee, and cleanse us from all defile- 
ment, that we may perform the worship of 
our fathers in Thy fear ; for Thou art He 
that blesses and hallows all things. Amen. 

BENIGNANT King of ages, and Master of 
all creation, receive Thy Church approach- 
ing Thee through Christ ; fulfil for each of 
us what is good for him ; bring us all to 
perfection, and make us meet for the grace 
of Thy sanctification, uniting us together in 
Thy holy Church, which Thou hast purchased 
with the precious blood af Thine only-be- 
gotten Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus 
Christ; with whom, and with Thine all- 
holy, good, and life-giving Spirit, Thou art 
blessed and glorified forever. Amen. 

Regard, Lord, the prayers of Thy 
family, and grant Thine aid to our humble 



200 PRIVATE PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP. 

supplications ; that, by means of the assist- 
ance which we require, we may persevere in 
the confession of Thy Name ; through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

We beseech Thee, Lord, open Thy heavens, 
and open our eyes; from thence may Thy 
gifts descend to us ; from hence may our 
hearts look back to Thee. May Thy throne 
be laid open to us, while we receive the 
benefits which we implore ; may our mind 
be laid open to Thee, while we render Thee 
service which is enjoined on us. Look down 
from Thy heaven, Lord, behold and visit 
this vine which Thy right hand hath planted. 
Strengthen the weak, relieve the contrite, 
confirm the strong. Build us up in love, 
cleanse us with purity, enlighten us with 
wisdom, keep us with mercy. Lord Jesus, 
good Shepherd, who didst lay down Thy life 
for the sheep, defend the purchase of Thy 
Blood. Feed the hungry, give drink to the 
thirsty, seek for the lost, convert the wan- 
dering, bind up that which is broken. Put 
forth Thine own hand from heaven, and 
touch the head and heart of each one here. 
May we feel the touch of Thy hand, and 
receive the joy of the Holy Spirit, that we 
may remain blessed for evermore. Amen. 



INTERCESSION FOR BACKSLIDERS. 201 

INTERCESSION FOR BACKSLIDERS. 

God, the most gracious Maker and most 
merciful Restorer of mankind, who, when 
man, by the envy of the devil, was cast 
down from eternal life, didst redeem him 
with the Blood of Thine only Son ; give life 
to the fallen, whose death Thou dost in no 
wise desire ; and as Thou dost not leave 
them when they are astray, so do Thou re- 
ceive them when they are brought back. 
Let the sorrowful sighings of the penitents 
who return move Thy pity. Do Thou heal 
their wounds ; do Thou extend Thy saving 
hand to the prostrate, lest Thy Church 
should be despoiled of any portion of her 
body ; lest Thy flock should suffer loss ; lest 
those who have received the salutary wash- 
ing of Thy holy Baptism should be over- 
taken by the second death. Spare Thou 
those who confess ; that in this mortal life 
they may, by Thy help, so mourn over their 
sins, that in the day of the dreadful judg- 
ment they may escape the sentence of eter- 
nal damnation, and may know neither the 
terrors of the darkness nor the fury of the 
flame ; and that having returned from the 
path of error and sin to the way of right- 
eousness, they may be pierced with no more 



202 PRIVATE PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP. 

wounds, but may retain in fulness and for- 
ever both what Thy grace hath vouchsafed, 
and what Thy mercy hath restored ; through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



AFTER THE SERMON. 

God, who hast sounded in our ears Thy 
divine and saving oracles, enlighten the 
souls of us sinners to the full understanding 
of what has been spoken, that we may not 
only appear to be hearers of spiritual words, 
but also doers of good works, following after 
faith unfeigned, a blameless life, and irre- 
proachable conduct ; through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 

Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, Co-eternal 
Word of the Father, made like us in all but 
sin, for the salvation of our race ; enables us 
to be not only hearers of Thine oracles, but 
also doers of the word, and to bring forth 
good fruit, thirty-fold and an hundred-fold, 
that we may attain the kingdom of heaven ; 
and speedily may Thy compassion overtake 
us ; for in Thee are our glad tidings, Sa- 
viour and Guardian of our souls and bodies, 
and to Thee we ascribe all glory for ever. 
Amen. 



PAET IV. 



DAILY MORNING AND EVENING 
DEVOTIONS. 



(203) 



I. 

& ^a'u in l;n& %yw)oimna noui^ — - 

/yne7z ^nouamd a^e /^edn a7ia ne^{/^. 
^ ne ^cM7za xiiciz tianCd uA tne neaven^ 
&(je/ai& ne ti-mned -v^eiott/ ; 

II. 

&^^au m t/ie O "uenina nowr^ • 

& zace, Un-e ^ne- aaiaen iian^f 
t^ fial: ohe'?zs^ ic/nezz Ihe <}-t^'?z id d-ei, 

Triii' <(i77Zite' u/ioz ate TtiaM. 
kJ ne ua/U diiit u?iaezd 07z Ine dn^u, 

/rue^z ail la aa^'k' '^eioTyj- / 

C/o iadi; oz & oa, ana noi; o^z eairCn, 

^cJocof^ O'V-eizina moicamd '^edioti'-. 
(204) 



DAILY 

MORNING AND EVENING 

DEVOTIONS. 



As soon as you awake in the morning, 
strive, as earnestly as you can, to keep all 
worldly thoughts out of your mind, till you 
have presented the first fruits of the day to 
God. 

Let the evening find you again in commu- 
nion with God. 

Be regular and faithful in your morning 
and evening devotions. Let no idleness, no 
business, no company, keep you from begin- 
ning and ending the day with devout medi- 
tation and prayer. 



SUNDAY MORNING. 

LoRD^ merciful and gracious Father, I 
come to Thy mercy-seat, in humble and 
child-like trust in Thee. As Thou makest 

(205) 



206 MORNING AND EVENING DEVOTIONS. 

the outgoings of the morning to rejoice, so 
do Thou make glad my heart on this day of 
sacred rest. 

Thou, Lord, art the true and only rest 
of the soul, and my heart cannot rest until 
it rests in Thee. Grant me this day, not 
only the rest of the body, but also some 
foretaste of that eternal peace and joy which 
shall refresh me, Avhen, after the labors of 
this life, I shall awake in Thy likeness, and 
be numbered with Thy saints in glory ever- 
lasting. 

Thou, who hasfc made Thy Church Thy 
dwelling-place, and chosen it as Thy rest 
forever, and hast taught us in Thy word not 
to forsake the assembling of ourselves toge- 
ther ; regard in special mercy, I beseech 
Thee, all those who meet to-day in Thy holy 
courts. Manifest Thyself unto us as Thou 
dost not unto the world. Bless unto us all 
Thine ordinances ; and may our worship in 
the Church on earth prepare us more fully 
for the blessed worship of the Church in 
heaven. 

adorable Saviour, Head of Thy Church, 
who hast all power in heaven and in earth, 
and who dost send forth Thy servants in 
Thy name, to publish salvation and make 
disciples to Thyself; sustain the Pastors of 



SUNDAY MORNING. 207 

Thy flocks at home, and in heathen lands. 
Give them the anointing of the Holy Ghost, 
in their ministrations, that they may feed 
the flock that waiteth around Thee; comfort- 
ing the distressed ; instructing the ignorant ; 
warning the careless ; confirming the doubt- 
ing ; suiting and satisfying the wants of all 
from the rich treasury of Thy grace. 

Be pleased, God of compassion, whose 
tender mercies are over all Thy works, to 
remember this day all ranks and conditions 
of men. Succor the needy and oppressed ; 
protect and cheer widows and orphans ; re- 
store the sick ; prepare the dying for death ; 
sanctify the merciful chastisements of Thy 
hand unto all who are enduring them ; and 
may the pains of their bodies and the an- 
guish of their souls lead them to the exer- 
cise of that godly sorrow which worketh re- 
pentance unto life, and thus bring unto 
them, in the life to come, a far more exceed- 
ing and eternal weight of glory, through the 
suffering, death, resurrection, and powerful 
intercession of Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Blessed Jesus, who in the days of Thy 
flesh didst take little children into Thine 
arms and bless them, and who didst com- 
mand that the lambs of the flock should be 
fed ; do Thou, this day, through Thy fami- 



208 MORNING AND EYENING DEYOTIONS. 

lies, and through Thy Church, call the little 
children to Thyself. Cause them to be nur- 
tured by Thy renewing grace, that out of 
the mouths of babes and sucklings Thy 
name may be glorified in the presence of 
Thine enemies, while they shall cry unto 
Thee : Hosanna, blessed is He that cometh 
in the name of the Lord. 

Hear now my prayer, Lord, in heaven. 
Thy dwelling-place. Glorify Thyself in all 
I do this day ; and lead me in that way in 
which I shall best escape the pollutions that 
are in the world, and attain at last to the 
unspeakable joys of the life to come: and 
unto Thee, the Father, the Son, and the 
Holy Ghost, shall be all honor and glory, 
world without end. Amen. 



SUNDAY EVENING. 

Lord, our heavenly Father, I acknow- 
ledge Thy great goodness toward me, in 
granting me another day of hol}^ rest. I 
praise Thee for what my eyes have seen, my 
ears heard, and my heart felt of Thy mercy 
and grace in the privileges of this day. 

1 am truly sorry for the errors and sins 



SUNDAY EVENING. 209 

of this day, and of my past life. I am 
grieved that I have so often forgotten Thy 
presence, authority, and goodness. Merci- 
ful God, pardon my offences ; correct and 
amend what is amiss in me ; and help me to 
grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our 
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 

Especially, Lord, forgive the iniquity 
of my holy things. Write Thy la^ws in my 
heart ; and enable me to show by a holy, un- 
blamable, and useful life, that I have not 
enjoyed Thy Sabbaths and Thy worship in 
vain. Thus prepare me more and more for 
the worship of the heavenly temple, and for 
the enjoyment of that eternal Sabbath which 
knows no setting sun. 

Grant, Lord, that ever}^ evening may 
remind me of the near approach of the night 
of death, when no man can work. Let a 
deep sense of my frailty make me careful 
how I live ; and amid all the vanity of this 
present life, may I be united by a living 
faith, and by the power of the eternal Spirit, 
unto Him who is the Resurrection and the 
Life ; so that, though I die, I may 3^et live, 
because He lives, and so escape death and 
the bitter pains of eternal misery. 

Assist me in carrying out the holy reso- 
lutions which I have this day formed, 
14 



210 MORNING AND EVENING DEVOTIONS. 

under the gracious movings of Thy "Word 
and Spirit. 

Thou, vfho hast all power in heaven 
and in earth, accompany the preaching of 
Thy word, and the administration of Thy 
sacraments, with the influences of Thy Holy 
Spirit. Continue to me, and to all Christian 
churches, the means of grace and salvation : 
and may the saving truths of the gospel be 
speedily published in every land, that all 
the ends of the earth may hear, believe, and 
live forever. 

Evermore keep and preserve me, God 
of my salvation, in the midst of all dangers 
to which I am exposed, either in body or in 
soul ; and prepare me, with meek cheerful- 
ness and Christian resignation, to receive 
my sorrows as well as my joys from Thee; 
knowing that health and sickness, riches 
and poverty, yea, all things, come not by 
chance, but by Thy fatherly hand. 

Thou, to whom the darkness and the 
light are both alike, and who dost neither 
slumber nor sleep, defend me, I beseech 
Thee, from all perils and dangers of this 
night. Keep me as under the shadow of 
Thy wings ; that I may be quiet from all 
fear of evil, and be brought in peace to see 



MONDAY 5I0RNING. 



211 



the light of another day, refreshed and 
rightly prepared for its Avork. 

I ask all in the name, and for the sake of 
Thy Son, Jesus Christ. Amen. 



MONDAY MORNING. 

Lord, heavenly Father, who by the rest 
of the Sabbath, and by the peaceful slum- 
bers of the night, hast refreshed me in body 
and in soul ; I bring Thee most hearty 
thanks for Thy great goodness, and grate- 
fully acknowledge Thee as the source of all 
my mercies. 

1 would now enter upon this new day, 
and upon the duties of this week, in Thy 
fear, and vrith a childlike dependence on 
Thee. 

As Thou hast ordained that we should 
eat bread in the sweat of our face, and work 
with our hands the things which are good, 
prosper, I beseech Thee, the work of my 
hands ; and sanctify the fruit of all my 
labors and cares, to my good, to the good of 
others, and to Thy glory. 

Help me to carry the spirit of the holy 
Sabbath into all the business of the week ; 



212 MORNING AND EVENING DEVOTIONS. 

and whilst I am engaged in honest and use- 
ful toil, may my heart still live and rest in 
Thee. 

Save me from the spirit of worldliness. 
Suffer me not to seek my portion in this 
life ; and having food and raiment, make 
me therewith content. 

To Thy ca.re, Lord, I novf commend my- 
self in soul and body, for this day. Let Thy 
fatherly protection be over me. Keep my 
heart from sin, my eyes from tears, and my 
soul from death ; and enable me to walk 
before Thee in cheerful obedience to the end 
of life. 

Hear, Lord, my pra3'er ; and grant me 
all things I need, for this world and for 
that which is to come ; since I ask in the 
name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 
Amen. 



MONDAY EVENING. 

Most gracious and merciful God, I give 
Thee thanks that it has pleased Thee to add 
another day to the years of my life. 

With deep humility, holy Lord God, I 
confess my man}^ sins and infirmities, which 
cause me to fall short of being wholW de- 



MONDAY EYENING. 213 

voted to Thee. God, infinite in mercy, 
pardon the sins of the day past, which I 
have committed against Thee, through neg- 
ligence, weakness, and frailty, whether in 
thought, word, or deed ; and grant that they 
may never rise up in judgment against me. 

Keep me ever mindful that it is an evil 
thing, and bitter, to forsake and offend the 
Lord my God. Above all things restrain me 
from wilful and deliberate sins, that I may 
never grieve Thy Spirit, nor provoke Thee to 
give me over to my own ways. 

Impress me with a due sense of the short- 
ness of my mortal life, that I may make a 
right use of my time as it passes ; and may 
I never abuse Thy long-suffering and pa- 
tience. Help me to keep in view my latter 
end ; and in the hour of death, and in the 
day of judgment, good Lord, deliver me. 

Thou Preserver of all, have mercy on 
all sorts and conditions of men ; provide for 
the destitute ; heal the sick ; comfort the 
suffering and sorrowing ; raise the fallen ; 
call back such as have wandered from Thee. 
Help, Lord, and save all who feel their 
need of Thy grace. 

Visit, Lord, Avith Thy grace this house 
and family. Drive far from us all snares of 
the enemy. Let Thy holy angels have charge 



214 MORNING AND EVENING DEVOTIONS. 

over us to preserve us in peace ; and let Thy 
blessing be upon us forever, through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. 

God, all powerful, take me this night 
under Thy protection. Let my weary na- 
ture be refreshed by easy and quiet sleep ; 
and, by Thy grace and providence, bring 
me at last through all the trials and tempta- 
tions of this world to a blessed end ; that so 
I may die in peace, rest in hope, and rise to 
glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



TUESDAY MOENING. 

Almighty God, heavenly Father, I ac- 
knowledge Thy goodness, which is renewed 
unto me this morning. "When I lay in de- 
fenceless sleep Thy power was beneath me, 
and Thy protection around me. While 
others have spent the night in sighs and 
tears, in restlessness and painful watchings, 
in sickness and in struggles with death, 
Thou hast granted unto me a comfortable 
and refreshing repose. Blessed be Thy 
name, Lord of my life, for all Thy good- 
ness and love toward me. 

Defend me, Lord, this day, from all mo- 



TUESDAY MORNING. 215 

tions of sin in my own heart, and from all 
hurtful influences from the world and evil 
spirits. In my greatest temptations be 
Thou nearest to me by Thy sustaining and 
conquering power ; and as Thou, blessed 
Saviour, didst overcome the Tempter in the 
wilderness, so do Thou overcome his wiles 
in me by Thy victorious grace. 

Grant me, Lord, the spirit of cheerful 
resignation to Thy good and holy will, amid 
all the changes of this mortal life ; that I 
may be patient in adversity ; thankful in 
prosperity ; and in all things which shall 
hereafter befall me may place my firm trust 
in my faithful God and Father, believing 
that nothing shall separate me from His 
love. 

Grant me grace to be just and upright in 
all my dealings ; quiet and peaceable among 
my neighbors ; full of compassion towards 
the needy and aflBiicted ; and ever ready to 
do good to all men, according to the abilities 
and opportunities which Thou shalt give mc. 
That so walking faithfully before Thee all 
my days, and being found watching when- 
ever my appointed time shall come, I may, 
from a life of grace, be translated into a life 
of glory ; through the merits and mediation 
of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



216 MORNING AND EVENING DEVOTIONS. 



TUESDAY EVENING. 

Almighty God, the Father of our Lord 
and Saviour Jesus Christ, and through Him 
our Father, blessed be Thy name, that Thou 
hast so graciously protected me this day. 
Thy goodness is new unto me every morn- 
ing, and Thy faithfulness every night. 
Blessed be Thy holy name forever and ever! 

Holy Spirit, proceeding from the Father 
and the Son, dwell Thou in me as the Spirit 
of holiness. Cleanse my heart from all evil 
passions and desires, from envy, hatred, and 
malice: that I may never suffer the sun to 
go down upon my wrath, but may always 
retire to rest in peace, charity, and good 
will ; with a conscience void of offence to- 
ward Thee and all men ; so that my heart 
may be a fit habitation for Thee. 

Heavenly Father, let Thy mercy be upon 
me, as my hope is in Thee. Bless me in 
body and soul ; bless me in my going out 
and coming in, and in all that concerns me. 
Above all, bless me with all spiritual bless- 
ings ; with a pure heart and a sound mind ; 
with contempt of the world, and a firm trust 
in Thee ; with a grateful sense of Thy kind- 



TUESDAY EVENING. 217 

ncss, and a soul full of love ; with a know- 
ledge of Thy will, and a desire to perform 
it ; with the assistance of Thy Spirit, and a 
sure and joyful hope of everlasting life, 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

With these prayers in behalf of myself, 
accept, Lord, my hearty intercessions for 
all mankind. Let the light of Thy gospel 
shine on all nations. Be especially gracious 
to our own land. Bless all who are in autho- 
rity over us. So rule their hearts, and 
strengthen their hands, that they may want 
neither will nor power to punish wickedness, 
or to encourage and support true piety 
among us. 

Encouraged by Thy goodness, and my 
experience of Thy fatherly care during this 
day, and all my life hitherto, I commit my- 
self to Thy almighty protection for the night. 
May I rest in safety, and be quiet from fear 
of evil. May my thoughts be serious and 
devout when I lie down ; and when I awake 
may I be still with Thee. Thou Keeper 
of Israel, who dost neither slumber nor 
sleep, be Thou evermore my guardian ; and 
when I lie down in the grave, be Thou the 
comfort and strength of my heart, and my 
portion forever ; through the abounding 
mercy of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



218 MORNING AND EVENING DEYOTIONS. 



WEDNESDAY MORNING. 

Thou Shepherd of Israel, who dost nei- 
ther slumber nor sleep, under Thy providen- 
tial care I have rested securely during an- 
other night, for which I now render Thee 
my humble and unfeigned thanks. I slept 
and awoke, and lo ! Thou art still with me. 

My voice shalt Thou hear in the morning, 
Lord ; in the morning will I direct my 
prayer unto Thee, and will look up. Let 
the same power and goodness which have 
been over me during the night attend me 
throughout all this day, that no evil may 
befall me. 

1 am weak ; be Thou my strength. I am 
ignorant and do easily err ; be Thou my 
light and my guide. I am prone to thought- 
lessness and vanity ; keep me mindful, I 
entreat Thee, of death, and of that great 
day in which I must give a strict account of 
my thoughts, words, and actions ; to the end 
that I may live soberly, righteously, and 
godly in this present evil world. 

Thou omniscient and holy Lord God, I 
humbly confess before Thee my sins and in- 
firmities. Have mercy upon me a sinner, 
and grant me Thy pardon and peace. 



WEDNESDAY MORNING. 219 

Holy Spirit, who art co-eternal God with the 
Father and the Son, create in me a clean 
heart, and renew a right spirit within me. 
Make me by a true faith partaker of Christ 
and all His benefits ; comfort and abide with 
me forever. 

Lord, as Thou hast called us to be use- 
ful to each other, and to the generation in 
which we live, grant me grace to go forth to 
my daily duties with cheerfulness, and in 
humble dependence upon Thy help. Bless 
Thou my labors, Lord, and establish upon 
me the work of my hands ; that so I may 
not live in vain. 

Bless this family, and grant us all grace 
to love and fear Thee. Bestow Thy bless- 
ings, temporal and spiritual, upon all my 
relations, friends, and neighbors. Reward 
all that have done me good, and pardon all 
that have done or wished me evil ; give them 
repentance and better minds. 

Be merciful to all who are in any trouble 
or affliction ; and do Thou, God of pity 
and compassion, administer to them help 
and comfort according to their several neces- 
sities ; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord, 
who liveth and reign eth with Thee and the 
Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. 
Amen. 



220 MORNING AND EVENING DEVOTIONS. 



WEDNESDAY EYENING. 

Our Father which art in heaven^ in Thy 
great mercy Thou hast brought me to the 
close of another clay. With unfeigned gra- 
titude, I bring unto Thee my evening sacri- 
fice of praise. 

Most gracious and merciful God, who art 
of purer eyes than to behold iniquity, and 
hast promised mercy and forgiveness to all 
them who confess and forsake their sins, I 
acknowledge my manifold transgressions of 
Thy righteous law, in thought, in word, and 
in deed. I have done those things which 
Thou hast forbidden, and left undone those 
things which Thou hast commanded ; and, 
when I look upon my past life, and remem- 
ber that Thou knowest my most secret sins, 
I am afraid of Thy judgments, and ashamed 
to lift up my eyes unto Thee. But, gra- 
cious Father, who desirest not the death of 
a sinner, look upon me in Thy Son Jesus 
Christ, and, for the merits of His sufferings, 
be Thou merciful unto me, and grant me full 
and free forgiveness. 

Help me, Lord, to possess my soul in 
patience amidst all the changes of this mor- 
tal life. Give me a cheerful faith, a joyful 
hope, and a peaceful love. From gloominess 



WEDNESDAY EYENING. 221 

of mind, from repinings, from dejection of 
spirit, from distrust of Thy mercies, and 
from fear of death, good Lord, deliver me. 

I humbly pray for all my fellow-being.s, 
especially for my relations and friends, that 
they may receive mercies suitable to their 
various wants, and have hearts wisely to 
improve them. 

Bless, Lord, the poor and needy, the 
sick and afflicted, the wretched and dis- 
tressed ; and have compassion upon all ranks 
and conditions of men. 

Lord, continue Thy gracious protection 
to me this night. Into Thy hands I com- 
mend myself, and all things that belong to 
me. Defend me from all dangers and mis- 
chiefs, and from the dread and fear of evil : 
to the end that I may enjoy such quiet and 
refreshing sleep as may fit me for the duties 
of the coming day. 

Lord, make me ever mindful of that 
time when I shall lie down in the dust ; and 
grant me grace alwa^'s to live in such a 
state, that I may never be afraid to die ; but 
that, whether I live I may live unto Thee, 
and whether I die I may die unto Thee ; 
that, so living and dying, I may be Thine, 
through the merits and mediation of Thy 
Son Jesus Clu'ist our Lord. Amen. 



222 MORNING AND EYENING DEVOTIONS. 



THUKSDAY MORNING. 

God, my God, early will I seek Thee. 
Thy mercies are new unto me every morn- 
ing, and call upon me for new expressions 
of gratitude to Thee, the Giver of all good. 
For the rest of the night, for the light of 
another day, and for the comforts which now 
surround me, I praise Thee, Lord my God. 

1 return unto Thee this morning, as a child 
to its parent. give me the spirit of adop- 
tion whereby I may say, Abba Father ; and, 
loving Thee, who hast first loved me, may I 
have grace to dedicate myself this day anew 
to Thy blessed service, in body and in soul. 

holy Saviour, who hast redeemed and 
delivered me from all my sins, do Thou also 
renew me by the Holy Ghost after Thine 
own image : that so I may testify, by my 
whole life, my gratitude to God for His great 
love and mercy to me. 

Grant me grace, Lord, to flee from all 
temptation that may this day assail me, and 
to overcome the power of sin in my own 
heart. May I rightly know Thee, the only 
true God ; trust in Thee only ; with humi- 
lity and patience submit to Thee ; expect all 



THURSDAY MORNING. 223 

good things from Thee alone ; love, fear, and 
glorify Thee with my whole heart : so that 
I may be willing to renounce and forsake all 
creatures rather than commit the least thing 
against Thy holy will. 

Give me, gracious God, whatever is need- 
ful for me, and grace not to abuse my favors. 
Give me a contented mind, and help me to 
regard with compassion the wants and sor- 
rows of others. 

God, our Saviour, who art the hope of 
all the ends of the earth, remember, I be- 
seech Thee, the children of affliction and 
sorrow. Heal the sick ; provide for the 
poor, and befriend the forsaken ; be a helper 
to the helpless, a hope to the hopeless, and 
the Saviour of all. 

1 now resign myself, most merciful Fa- 
ther, into Thy hands for all coming time. 
Let Thy mercy be upon me as my trust is 
in Thee. Guide me by Thy counsel while I 
live, and afterwards receive me to thy hea- 
venly glorjr, through infinite riches of grace 
in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen. 



224 MORNING AND EVENING DEYOTIONS. 



THURSDAY EYENING. 

Most merciful God, our heavenly Father, 
regard me from heaven, the habitation of 
Thy holiness, and accept the confession of 
my sins, with my evening sacrifice of thanks- 
giving and praise. 

I acknowledge all my unworthincss, and 
the frailty and perverseness of my corrupt 
nature, through which I daily transgress 
Thy just and holy laws. Do Thou, Lord, 
have mercy upon me, and pardon me for the 
sake of Jesus Christ, who is my Advocate 
with Thee, and the propitiation for all my 
sins. May my soul be washed from the de- 
filements of this day in His most precious 
blood, that I may go to my rest, comforted 
by Thy grace, and sanctified by Thy Holy 
Spirit. 

Kind and gracious Father, I give Thee 
unfeigned thanks, for all Thy mercies be- 
stowed upon me from time to time : for my 
being, and for all my powers of soul and 
body; for health, friends, food, and raiment; 
and for all other comforts and conveniences 
of life : Above all, for Thy tender mercy 
and compassion to me, and to all mankind. 



THURSDAY EVENING. 225 

in sending Thine only Son into the world to 
redeem us from sin and eternal death. 

Lord, take away from me all ignorance, 
hardness of heart, and undue carefulness for 
the things of this life. Help me to fear 
Thee, sincerely to seek Thy glory, and to 
put my whole trust in Thy mercy. 

Make me mindful that as I have now 
come to the end of another day, so the end 
of life is at hand ; and as I know not the 
day nor the hour of my Master's coming, 
grant me grace alwa3^s so to live, that I may 
never be afraid to die ; but that living or 
dying I may be Thine. 

Wearied with the labors and cares of the 
day, I come to Thee for quiet and repose, 
and new supplies of strength for drooping 
nature. Defend me from the terrors of the 
night, from the pestilence that walketh in 
darkness, and from all manner of evil. Yisit 
me with the favor which Thou bearest unto 
Thy chosen ones, and cause me to rest safely 
in the arms of Thy love. When Thou hast 
refreshed me by sleep, such as Thou givest 
Thine own beloved children, raise me up 
again in health and peace. Thus may all 
my days and nights be spent with Thee, and 
in Thy service, till I awake in Thy likeness, 
and reign with Thee in everlasting joy; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 
15 



226 MORNING AND EVENING DEVOTIONS. 



FRIDAY MORNING. 

Almighty and everlasting God, in whom 
I live, and move, and have my being, I ren- 
der thanks unto Thee, for Thy kind care 
over me during the night that is past. 

I once more dedicate unto Thee my soul 
and body, that I may wholly serve Thee 
in a sober, righteous, and godly life. I re- 
nounce all the works of darkness : cause 
me to walk in the light of Thy countenance. 
I renounce the vanities of this world : 
help me to seek after the enduring substance 
that is laid up with Thee in Heaven. I re- 
nounce all the sinful lusts of the flesh : 
enable me to walk in the Spirit. In these 
desires and purposes, do Thou, most merci- 
ful God, confirm and strengthen me by Thine 
ever-present grace. 

I humbly confess my sins before Thee, 
Thou holy God. Saviour, to whom shall 
I go, but unto Thee ; for with Thee there is 
plenteous mercy : and I know, and believe, 
that Thou hast power on earth to forgive 
sins. Grant me a joyful sense of Thy par- 
doning love. 

Po Thou, Lord, mortify in me my old 



FRIDAY MORNING. 227 

nature, by giving me a sincere sorrow of 
heart for mj sins against Thee ; and in- 
crease in me a desire more and more to hate 
and flee from them. 

Quicken in me the new man by Thy Holy 
Spirit ; that I may have a sincere joy of 
heart in God, and find true delight in living 
according to Thy will in all good works, 
through the mercy and grace of Jesus Chri-st, 
our Lord. 

Give me, Lord, an abiding sense of the 
vanity and shortness of this mortal life. 
Seeing that the Son of man cometh at an 
hour when we think not, may I be always 
ready ; that so the dread summons may not 
come upon me unawares. 

Accept, O Lord, my earnest intercessions 
for all mankind. Bless Thy Church, 
Thou who hast purchased it with Thine own 
blood. Make it the joy of the whole earth: 
clothe its ministers with power, and extend 
its borders into all lands. 

Be merciful to all who are in any trouble or 
affliction in mind, body, or outward estate. 
Raise up helpers to such as are in want ; 
and administer grace and comfort to all, 
according to their several necessities, for the 
sake of the sufferings and sorrow of Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 



228 MORNING AND EVENING DEVOTIONS. 



FRIDAY EVENING. 

Etehnal and infinitely glorious God, the 
great Creator, gracious Preserver, and wise 
Governor of the world, I, Thy sinful and un- 
worthy servant, fall before Thee at this time, 
to present my prayers and supplications at 
the throne of Thy heavenly grace. 

Let Thy goodness and forbearance, 
Lord, lead me to repentance ; and though I 
have rendered myself unworthy of the least 
of Thy mercies, yet, for the sake of Thy be- 
loved Son, our Saviour, in whom Thou art 
well pleased, spare me, good Lord, spare 
me, and be not angry with me forever. 
Wash away all my sins in that fountain 
which Thou hast opened for sin and un- 
cleanness, and restore me to Thy favor and 
love. 

Lord, enlighten my understanding, that 
I may know Thee ; sanctify my affections, 
that I may love Thee ; and put Thy fear 
into my heart, that I may dread to offend 
Thee. Convince me thoroughly, Lord, of 
the great evil of sin, that I may hate it, and 
endeavor in all things to obey Thy blessed 
will, and to walk before Thee in holiness 
and righteousness all my days. 



FRIDAY EVENING. 229 

Make me always mindful that Thou art 
everywhere present, and knowest my most 
secret thoughts and wa3^s ; that so I may 
console myself with Thy gracious nearness, 
and at the same time fear to offend Thee, 
and ever seek to bring every thought and 
desire to the obedience of Thy blessed will. 

Impress me, Lord, with a lively and 
abiding sense of the frailty of my life, the 
certainty of a judgment to come, the un- 
speakable glories of heaven, and the most 
dreadful torments of hell; that I may be 
moved in good earnest to lay hold of salva- 
tion, and never be so foolish as to prefer the 
pleasures of sin, which are but for a season, 
to that everlasting fulness of joy, which is in 
Thy presence for evermore. 

Establish, Lord, and greatly enlarge, 
the borders of Thy Church ; 0, let the wick- 
edness of the wicked come to an end, and do 
Thou establish and increase the just. 

I humbly commend myself and all my 
affairs this night to Thy blessing and pro- 
tection. Give me, Lord, the comfortable 
refreshment of a quiet and undisturbed 
sleep. Defend me from all evil, and from 
all fear and dread ; and let Thy goodness and 
mercy follow me all the days of my life, for 
the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen, 



230 MORNING AND EVENING DEYOTIONS. 



SATURDAY MORNING. 

God, by whom the whole world is go\ 
erned and preserved, I give Thee humble 
thanks for Thy fatherly care over me, in pre- 
serving me from the dangers of the night 
which is past, and in bringing me safely to 
the beginning of another day. 

1 gratefully acknowledge my dependence 
on Thee for the necessities, conveniences, 
and comforts of my daily life ; for all the 
means of my well-being in this world ; and 
for the hope of everlasting happiness in Thy 
heavenly kingdom. 

I give Thee thanks for the gift of Thy 
Son, my Saviour ; for the gift of Thy holy 
Spirit, my Sanctifier and Comforter ; for the 
institution of Thy Church, the mother of us 
all ; for the light of Thy glorious gospel, 
and the helps of Thy grace ; and for the 
precious promises of pardon, through Thy 
Son Christ Jesus, in whose blood we have 
the atonement. 

Give me always, I beseech Thee, such a 
tender sense of Thy mercies as may make 
me truly thankful for them. 0, save me 
from hardness of heart, and from blindness 
of mind ; that I may never neglect or abuse 



SATURDAY MORNING. 231 

Thy grace, but may honor and enjoy it in 
my heart and life, from day to day. 

Grant me grace honestly to improve all 
the talents which Thou hast committed to 
my trust ; and may no worldly business, and 
no love of pleasure, draw my mind or heart 
from the solemn concerns of the life to come. 

May Thy blessing, Lord, be upon my 
person, upon my labors, upon my substance, 
and upon all that belongs to me. In pros- 
perity may I not forget Thee, and in ad- 
versity may I still trust in Thy wisdom, 
mercy, and love. 

Defend me, Lord, and all that are near 
and dear to me, against all the assaults of our 
enemies. Grant that this day we may fall into 
no sin, neither run into any danger. May all 
our doings be ordered by Thee, and meet with 
Thy favor and blessing ; that so we may walk, 
Lord, in the light of Thy countenance. 

Into Thy hands, gracious Father, I com- 
mend my soul and body for this day, and 
for all coming life. Glorify Thyself in all 
that I do and suffer; and grant me, I be- 
seech Thee, in this world, knowledge of Thy 
truth, and in the world to come, life ever- 
lasting; through the mercy and mediation 
of Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with 
Thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, be all 
honor and glory, world without end. Amen. 



232 3I0RNING AND EVENING DEVOTIONS. 



SATURDAY EVENING. 

Lord God, our Heavenly Father, by 
whose gracious protection I ha^^ been car- 
ried through another day and another week 
of my life, unto Thee do I render my humble 
and hearty thanks. 

Give me, I beseech Thee, a due sense of 
the manifold favors Thou hast bestowed upon 
me ever since my birth ; and more especially 
teach me to value, as I ought to do. Thy 
great mercy in Christ Jesus our Lord, 
through whom alone I enjoy the means of 
grace, and the hope of glory. 

1 confess, Lord, that I have not served 
Thee according to the measure of my know- 
ledge and ability. I have again and again 
broken Thy laws and commandments ; I 
have too much neglected the warnings Thou 
hast given ; I have resisted the quiet influ- 
ences of Thy Holy Spirit, and have just 
cause to fear Thy righteous judgments. I 
acknowledge my unworthiness. merciful 
Father, accept my penitence, and cause it to 
be more sincere and heartfelt, and give me 
the comforting assurance of pardon. By 
Thy manifold and great mercies ; by the all- 



SATURDAY EVENING. 233 

sufficient merits of Thy blessed Son, Jesus 
Christ ; by His agony and bloody sweat ; by 
His bitter cross and passion ; by His glorious 
resurrection and ascension; by Ilis continual 
intercession for me at Thy right hand ; and 
by the graces and comforts of the Holy 
Ghost, good Lord, deliver me. 

In all the changes and trials of this mor- 
tal life ; in the day of prosperity and in the 
day of adversity ; in the hour of death and 
in the day of judgment, good Lord, deliver 
me. 

I beseech Thee, Lord, to extend Thy 
mercy to the whole race of mankind. Have 
pity upon the nations that know Thee not, 
and have never heard of Thy name ; cause 
the light of Thy glorious gospel to shine 
among them, and visit them with Thy salva- 
tion. 

Look with pity and compassion, Lord, 
upon all in affliction and temptation ; upon 
the poor, the sick, and the dying ; strengthen 
and support them, and give them in Thine 
own good time a happy deliverance, for the 
sake of the suff'erings of Jesus Christ our 
Lord. 

Be mercifuland gracious, God, to my 
relations, friends, and acquaintances, and to 
all that desire or need my prayers. Forgive 



234 MORNING AND EVENING DEVOTIONS. 

my enemies ; reward my benefactors ; and 
grant that I, and all Thy people everywhere, 
may serve Thee with full purpose of heart, 
and be made partakers at last of eternal 
happiness in Thy presence in heaven. 

As Thou hast preserved me while waking, 
so do Thou, Lord, defend me while sleep- 
ing. Grant me such rest of body that I may 
have a waking soul, to watch for the time 
when my Lord shall appear to deliver me 
from this mortal life. Let no vain or wan- 
dering fancy trouble me ; let my spiritual 
enemies have no power over me; but grant 
that my mind may be set wholly upon Thy 
presence, and made to rest with holy love 
and fear in Thee alone : that being refreshed 
with a moderate and sober sleep, I may rise 
again with cheerful strength and gladness 
of heart to serve Thee in all good works, 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



PART V. 



DEVOTIONS FOR THE FESTIVAL SEASONS. 



(235) 



^yo '?na^n-d dne aa'ud, and Tnant/iii , and "uea^^, 

^ /tonde7'^ and io ^i^zau ; 
^^■nd yea^"^ 'O-u yea^-'j 'i^eainnhta neic^ 

Oacn /la^Cion in iu U'^ne. 



(236) 



DEVOTIONS 



FESTIVAL SEASONS, 



DEVOTIONS FOR CHRISTMAS. 

Head St Mark ii.; St. Luke ii. ; St. John i. 1-U. 

Almighty God, who liast commanded the 
light to shine out of darkness, and, by the 
Incarnation and glorious Nativity of Thine 
Only -begotten Son, hast brought life and 
immortality to light ; shine into m}^ heart, 
and give me the light of the knowledge of 
Thy glory in the face of Thy dear Son. 

Lord Jesus Christ, eternal God, who as on 
this day wast born into the world, very Man, 
in all things like unto us, that Thou mightest 
be a faithful and merciful High -priest, 
touched with the feelings of our infirmities ; 
grant unto me strong consolation, and a sure 
and steadfast hope. 

Holy Ghost the Comforter, the Lord, and 
Giver of life, by whom I have been quick- 
ened together with Christ, and made par- 

(237) 



238 DEYOTIONS FOR FESTIYAL SEASON'S. 

taker of His resurrection ; shed abroad in 
my heart the love of God, and endow me 
with His perfect freedom ; and grant that, 
with open face beholding the glory of the 
Lord, I may be changed into the same image, 
from glory to glory. Amen. 

Almighty and everlasting God, by whose 
great mercy we are enabled to consecrate 
this day to the memory of the Incarnation 
of Thy Son, our Saviour ; grant unto me 
and all Thy people such fellowship in that 
which we celebrate, that we who have been 
redeemed by Thy grace, and received among 
the number of Thy children, may abide 
undoubtingly in Thine adoption. 

Grant us, Lord, such confidence of faith, 
that, confessing Thy Only-begotten Son, who 
dwelt with Thee in Thy glory from all eter- 
nity, but in the fulness of time took upon 
Himself our nature of the flesh and blood 
of the Virgin Mary, we may overcome all 
adversities in this present life, and may 
come at last to the abiding joys of the life 
to come : through the same Thy Son Jesus 
Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth 
with Thee and the Holy Ghost, One God, 
world without end. Amen. 



DEVOTIONS FOR GOOD FRIDAY. 239 



DEVOTIONS FOR GOOD FRIDAY. 

These devotions can he used during oilier days 
of the Holy Week ; and also in connection 
loith communion occasions. 

Kead Is. liii. ; St. Matt, xxvi., xxvii. ; St. Mark xir., xv. ; 
St. Luke xxii.j xxiii. ; St. John xviii., xix. 

Lord Jesus Christ, there "\Yas never sor- 
row like unto Thy sorrow, wherewith Thou 
wast afflicted in the day of the fierce anger 
of Almighty God. Thy soul was exceeding 
sorrowful, even unto death. Thy sweat was 
as great drops of blood falling upon the 
ground. But our sins were the cause of Thy 
sorrow, and our guilt weighed Thee down 
and filled Thy soul with fear and agony. 
From all eternity Thou was most blessed, 
abiding with the Father, in the unity of the 
Holy Ghost, in glory unspeakable. For our 
sakes Thou didst become man ; and in all 
things Thou wast made like unto us ; that 
in Thy pure and unspotted heart Thou 
mightest have sympathy with us in our ex- 
ceeding misery; that Thou mightest taste 
the bitterness of sin, endure its burden in 
Thy most holy spirit, and yield up Thyself 



240 DEYOTIONS rOH FESTIYAL SEASONS. 

to be overshadowed as with an horror of 
great darkness. 

Grant us, Lord, we beseech Thee, to have 
such abhorrence of all evil, that we also may 
have sympathy with Thee in Thy sorrow ; 
make us watchful, that we may be kept 
through the hour of temptation ; and give 
to us such willingness of spirit, strength of 
heart, and patient quietness, that we may 
not shrink from drinking of Thy cup, nor 
from being baptized with Thy baptism. For 
in Thee is our hope, Christ our God ; and 
to Thee with the Father, and the Holy 
Ghost, we ascribe glory forever. Amen. 

Thou whose delights were in the sons 
of men from their creation. Thou Captain 
and Guide of Thy chosen ones, who didst 
lead Joseph like a flock ; Thou camest unto 
Thine own, and Thine own received Thee 
not. Thou didst separate Thy disciples to 
be Thy companions and Thy friends, and 
didst open unto them the mysteries of Thy 
kingdom : yet by Thine own disciple Thou 
wast given up ; Thou wast betrayed with a 
kiss : Thy beloved ones forsook Thee and 
fled ; and he who follovred Thee denied Thee 
with an oath. 

We also, Lord, have been guilty after 



DEVOTIONS rOR GOOD FRIDAY. 241 

the like example ; we have not watched, we 
have not followed Thee ; we have dealt un- 
truly, and betrayed Thy trust ; we have for- 
saken Thy covenant of mercy and peace ; 
we have sought to be hidden in the world, 
and have not sought to be distinguished 
among men as Thy disciples. Yet have 
mercy upon Thy people. Gather us again, 
Lord, and bring us back unto Th3^self ; 
and enable us to confess Thee before men, 
that, abiding steadfast unto the end, we may 
be confessed of Thee in the presence of Thy 
holy angels, in the day of Thine appearing. 
Amen. 

TiTou didst endure, Holy One of God, 
Eternal Truth, Thou didst patiently endure 
to hearken to the' false witness of wicked 
men given against Thyself. Thou didst for- 
bear to answer again or to threaten. Thou 
didst receive from the judgment of Thine 
enemies the sentence of death, and Thou 
didst hear it in silence, committing Thy 
cause to Ilim that judgeth righteousl}-, that 
after death Thou mightest obtain Thy re- 
ward from Ilim. 

Grant unto us, most merciful Saviour, to 
be partakers of the same spirit and grace ; 
that we may not seek the honor that cometh 
IG 



242 DEVOTIONS FOR FESTIVAL SEASONS. 

from man, nor count ourselves justified by 
the judgment of men ; and when they shall 
unjustly condemn us for Thy sake, may 
we endure with patience : And, Thou 
merciful God and Judge Eternal, before 
whose judgment-seat we must all appear, 
do Thou save us in that day ; reckon not 
against us our iniquities, but blot out all 
our transgressions : for in Thy mercy is all 
our hope, and through Thy sacrifice for us, 
and in Thy righteousness, we can alone be 
justified. Amen. 

Lord, Eternal Word, who didst speak 
the word, and all things were created ; who 
didst command, and all things stood fast ; in 
whom all things consist and abide in being ; 
of Thine own will Thou wa.st given up unto 
the will of others. The rude and brutal sol- 
diers scourged Thee ; they smote, they spat 
upon Thy sacred face ; over Thy limbs in 
derision they threw the purple robe; in 
mockery they placed the reed within Thy 
hands, and forced the crown of thorns upon 
Thy head, Thou King and Lord of all. 
Thou wast reviled, but Thou answeredst 
not again ; Thou didst suffer, but didst not 
threaten. 

Give unto us, we beseech Thee, the like 



DEYOTIONS FOR GOOD FRIDAY. 243 

spirit of meekness and patience ; let us never 
be turned from Thy ways through any mock- 
ery or cruelty of men ; but persevere, as 
seeing Him who is invisible, who giveth 
unto those that endure unto the end a crown 
of glory which fadeth not away. Amen. 

Condemned as a malefactor. Lord Jesus 
Lamb of God, Thou didst go forth to the 
place of death, bearing Thy Cross ; until, 
fainting through pain and anguish, they 
took it from Thee, and hiid it on Thy disci- 
ple to bear, not in pity for Thy suffering, 
but that Thou mightest be ready to endure 
fresh torment. They pierced Thy hands and 
Thy feet, they nailed Thee to the Cross. 
Thou wast lifted up between heaven and 
earth, as utterly unworthy, and abhorred 
and rejected of all. Yea, the transgressors 
with whom Thou wast numbered, who were 
crucified with Thee, they mocked and re- 
viled Thee. All but Thy mother and Thy 
beloved disciple, and the faithful women 
with them, looked upon Thee with hatred 
and derision. None gave Thee love nor pity, 
who wast full of love and pity for all. 

Lord, we behold Thy sufferings, and we 
mourn ; our eyes, our eyes run down with 
tears ; we weep in the bitterness of our 



244 DEYOTIONS FOR FESTIVAL SEASONS. 

souls : for Thou wast wounded for our trans- 
gressions, Thou wast bruised for our iniqui- 
ties. And above all we mourn, that although 
we have been made partakers of Thy grace, 
our sins have pierced Thee anew ; we have 
seemed to count Thy sacrifice a vain thing ; 
we have forgotten that we were cleansed 
from our old sins. They who nailed Thee 
to Thy Cross knew not that they crucified 
the Lord of Glory ; but we have known 
Thee, and yet have crucified Thee afresh, 
and put Thee to open shame. We have 
made void Thy mercy, and have kept back 
from Thee Thy reward. Yet, Lord Jesus, 
let not Thy mercy fail ; and, as in Thine 
hour of agony Thou didst pray for them that 
put Thee to death, so for us also do Thou in- 
tercede. Behold, we wait before Thy Cross ; 
we adore Thee, Thou that wast crucified. 
Draw us unto Thee, conform us to Thine 
example, and now and henceforth let us take 
up our cross, and follow Thee in this world? 
looking for our reward in the regeneration, 
in the kingdom of Thy glory. Amen. 

From the earth rose up the blackness of 
darkness, which at mid-day overshadowed 
the person of Immanuel, fit emblem of that 
heaviness which oppressed Thy Spirit, 



DEVOTIONS FOR GOOD FRIDAY. 245 

Jesu, beloved of the Father. This was the 
hardest trial of Thy love, that Thou shouldst 
lose, though but for a moment, the abiding 
of His joy, which had been Thy strength, in 
every former trial. This was the suffering 
above all suffering, which filled up the cup 
of sorrow, and set the seal of perfectness on 
all Thou hadst endured. For, when Thou 
hadst endured this, Thy faith did straight- 
way scatter the oppression, which passed 
from Thy soul as the darkness from the 
earth ; and then with steadfast confidence 
Thou gavest up the ghost, committing Thy 
Spirit unto the Father. Of a truth Thou art 
the Son of God. Amen. 

Almighty and everlasting God, who of 
Thy tender mercy towards mankind hast 
sent Thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, to 
take upon him our flesh and to suffer death 
upon the Cross, that all mankind should fol- 
low the example of His great humility; 
mercifully grant that we may both follow 
the example of His patience, and also be 
made partakers of His Kesurrection ; through 
the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



246 DEVOTIONS FOU FESTIYAL SEASONS. 



DEVOTIONS FOR EASTER. 

Read St. Matt, xxvii. ; St. Mark xvi. ; St. Luke xxiv.; 
St. John XX. ; 1 Cor. xv. 

The Lord is risen indeed ; 

Hallelujah. 
Christ is raised from the dead, and.dieth no 
more ; 

Hallelujah. 
Behold ! He is alive for evermore ; 
And hath the keys of Hell and of Death. 

Hallelujah. 

RemExMBering Thy Resurrection, Lord 
Jesus, I worship Thee, who art holy, who 
alone art without sin. I fall down before 
Thee, who wast crucified ; I praise and glo- 
rify Thee, who art risen from the dead. 
For Thou art my God, and besides Thee I 
know no other ; and of Thy name alone will 
I make mention. 

Thou art risen indeed. Hallelujah. 

ALL ye who believe, fall down before 
Him who is risen! Through Thy glorious 
Resurrection, Lord Jesus, great joy has 
come to all Thy people. Wherefore I bless 



DEVOTIONS FOR EASTEK. 247 

Thee, Lord ; I celebrate Thy blessed Res- 
urrection. For Thou hast abolished death, 
and brought life and immortality to light. 
Thou art risen indeed. Hallelujah. 

Although Thou wast laid in the grave, 
Thou Eternal, yet didst Thou spoil the 
power of hell. Thou didst rise victorious, 
Christ my God, bringing resurrection to 
all that, living, believe in Thee, and to all 
that, dying, sleep in Thee. 

Thou art risen indeed. Hallelujah. 

Almighty God, the Father of our Lord 
Jesus Christ, who as on this day didst raise 
up Thy Son from the dead, by the power of 
the Holy Ghost ; quicken me from the death 
of sin unto the life of righteousness ; and in- 
crease in me the spirit of adoption. 

Lord Jesus Christ, the Resurrection and 
the Life, who as on this day didst take again 
Thy body from the grave, and as the Sun of 
righteousness, didst arise with healing in 
Thy wings ; shine into my heart in the 
glory of Thy Spirit, and give to me, by the 
same Spirit, the knowledge of the Father 
and of the Son. 

Holy Ghost, the Spirit of the Father and 
the Son, who quickenest the dead, and by 



248 DEYOTIONS FOR FESTIVAL SEASONS. 

whom we are all baptized into the body of 
Christ ; vouchsafe unto me the increase of 
spiritual life and health ; and shed abroad 
in my heart the love of God, that I may re- 
joice in the hope of His glory. Amen. 

Grant, Lord, that like as Christ our 
Lord was raised from the dead by Thy glory, 
so we also, v^ho are buried with Him by 
baptism unto death, may be continually 
raised from the death of sin, and walk in 
newness of life ; through the same our Lord 
Jesus Christ. Amen. 

Almighty God, who from the tomb of our 
Lord Jesus Christ, hath caused the light of 
Eternal Life to shine upon the world ; grant, 
I beseech Thee, that in celebrating this holy 
season, my heart may be so inflamed with 
heavenly desires, and that Thy love may be 
so shed abroad therein by the Holy Ghost, 
that I may continually seek the things which 
are above, where Christ sitteth at Thy right 
hand ; and that, abiding in purity of heart 
and mind, I may at length attain unto Thine 
everlasting kingdom, there to dwell in the 
glorious light of Thy presence, world with- 
out end ; through the same Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 



DEVOTIONS FOR ASCENSION DAY. 249 

DEVOTIONS FOR ASCENSION DAY. 

Acts i. 1-15 : Ps. xlvii. 

God, the King of glory, who through 
the Resurrection and Ascension of our Lord 
Jesus Christ, hast opened the kingdom of 
heaven to all believers ; leave me not an 
orphan, in my weary mortal state, but send 
me the Holy Ghost, the Comforter ; who 
shall guide me always in the way of truth 
and peace, and bring me in the end to those 
mansions of rest in which Christ now dwells 
and reigns : to whom, with Thee and the 
Holy Ghost, be honor and glory, world with- 
out end. Amen. 

King of glory, Lord of hosts, who hast 
ascended up in triumph above the heavens ; 
leave me not comfortless, but send upon me 
the promise of the Father, even the Spirit of 
truth. 

Glory be to Thee, ascended Saviour. 

When Thou hadst made glad the hearts 
of Thy disciples with the promise of the 
Holy Ghost, when Thou hadst confirmed 
their souls with Thy blessing of peace, Thou 



250 DEYOTIONS FOR FESTIVAL SEASONS. 

wast received up into glory, Christ, our 
Saviour: for Thou art the Son of God, the 
Saviour of the world. 

Glory be to Thee, ascended Saviour. 



DEVOTIONS FOR WHITSUNTIDE. 

St. John xiv. 15-31; xri. 1-15; Acts ii. 

Almighty and most glorious Lord God, 
who as on this day didst send down Thy 
Spirit upon Thine apostles in cloven tongues 
as of fire ; vouchsafe unto me the light of 
His inspiration, and inflame in me the fire 
of His love. 

Lord Jesus Christ, who baptizest with the 
Holy Ghost and with fire ; make me par- 
taker of His holy anointing, and seal me 
unto everlasting salvation. 

Holy Ghost, the Spirit of the Father and 
of the Son, sanctify my whole Spirit, and 
soul, and body; vouchsafe unto me the dis- 
tributions of Thy heavenly gifts ; come 
down upon me in Thy glory ; and take up 
Thy habitation in my heart henceforth and 
for ever. Amen. 



PAET VI. 



SPECIAL DEVOTIONS. 



(251) 



4-t^ihiicationd f Azauezd, mUtceddiond , ana 
ai'u-l'nq c/ ifia7zA<i 'Ue maae /a^ all 07te7z : 

rj^of' Atnad, and /o'T aii mat aie m aco" 
tmzU'u : inai; we nia^j' lead a acoiei; and 
/teacea^ie u/e m all aodu7ze4d a^td no7iediu. 

Kd'o'T Ihid Id mod a7id acceMauie C7i the 
tHiant 0/ & cd otc7'^ c/av-io^cf^ ; 

Jrno ^(/c■u nai^e all '?7ie7z to Se daved, 
a7'M to came u7tto tn^ /z'7ioii/{edae cd t/ie ticUU. 

J/''0'7'^ the^e Id C7te c/ od, a7zd 07ie '}7zedcato7'^ 
'&et'?,{^ee7^ c/ ed aTzd ■77^e7z, t/U ma7z S^/ittdt 
/edad / 

}yna aa'u-e ^1971461/ a ^a7Zd077z /c?"- all^ to 
i^e tedti/ied i7t due time, 

^ ^mtif thete/ote, t/iat '?7ie7h Aia?j' evety= 

ii/neie^ li/ti7ta i&h fwc^^. 'na7idd ^ witnoat latatA 

a7zd doU'Vti77a. 

E ^fm. iL 1-8. 

(252) 



SPECIAL DEVOTIONS. 



Tlie folloiving devotions, or selections from 
them to suit particular tiines and circum- 
stances, may he used in hours of private de- 
votion on Sunday, or in such other seasons 
of religious retirement as you may he ahJc 
to command during the iveel<:. 

The heart of tho devout Christian is as the altar of in- 
cense which burned perpetually before the Lord, sending 
"up its fragrant column of smoke toward heaven. That the 
incense burnt on the altar was composed of /owr ingre- 
dients (Ex. XXX. 34), the odor of each of which must have 
been discernible to the sense of the worshipper, was no 
doubt intended to bo typical of those elements which con- 
stitute the devotions of the Christian heart. The Apostle 
mentions four different exercises and risings of the heart 
which belong to the full exercise of devotion — Supplica- 
tions, Prayers, Intercessions, and Thanksgivings. 

To supplicate is to ask God to ward off any evils or 
calamities that threaten our souls or bodies. It proceeds 
from a sense of danger. 

To pray is to ask God for the good that we need. It pro- 
ceeds from a sense of want. 

To intercede is to place ourselves between God and 
others, and to ask Ilim bnth to ward off evil from them, 
and to bestow good on tliem. It proceeds from the sense 
we have of the danger and need of others. 

To give thanks is to express to God our grateful acknow- 
ledgment for mercies and blessings received. It proceeds 
from our sense of God's goodness to us. 

When in danger and fear we supplicate. When in need 
we pray. When we feel the danger and need of others we 
intercede. When we have been blest we give thanks. 

(253) 



SUPPLICATIONS. 

Deliver me, 6 Lord, from mine enemies : I flee unto 
Thee to hide me. 

Hide not Thy face from me in the day when I am in 
trouble. 

The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of 
hell gat hold upon me; I found trouble and sorrow; 

Then called I upon the name of the Lord; Lord, I be- 
seech Thee, deliver my soul. 

AGAIXST PASSION. 

Almighty God, who art slow to anger and 
plenteous in mercy, give to Thy servant a 
meek and gentle spirit, that I also may be 
slow to anger, and quick to exercise mercy 
and forgiveness. Give me a wise and a pa- 
tient heart, that I may not be moved to wrath 
on every trifling mistake and slight provoca- 
tion of others. Deliver me from a peevish 
and contentious spirit, and suffer me not so 
far to give place to the devil, as to let the 
sun ever go down on my wrath, or to bear 
malice and hatred in my heart. Thou, 
Lord, hast comma^nded us to lift up holy 
hands in prayers to Thee, without wrath : 
teach me to obey this command. Give mo 

(254) 



SUPPLICATIONS. 255 

that Christian charity, vrhich is not easily 
provoked, that I may follow peace with all 
men, being meek, humble, and merciful, 
bearing with the infirmities of others, and 
forgiving their offences, as I desire to be for- 
given of Thee, through the merits of my 
blessed Saviour Jesus Christ: to whom with 
Thee and the Holy Spirit, be all honor and 
glory, now and forever. Amen. 

AGAINST TEMPTATION. 

Almighty and most merciful Father, I 
most humbly beseech Thee, for Thy Son^s 
sake, Jesus Christ our Lord, have mercy 
upon me, and succor me in these terrible 
assaults and temptations of the devil. De- 
liver my soul from all his power and craft ; 
send me strength from above, that I may re- 
tain my integrity, may resist the enemy, and 
stand steadfast in the day of trial. Be Thou 
my strong rock, and tower of defence ; that, 
being preserved through Thy grace and 
assistance, I may continue Thy faithful sol- 
dier and servant unto my life's end. Nou- 
rish all the seeds of grace that are sown in 
my heart, and make them fruitful unto 
every good word and work. Give me the in- 
crease of faith, hope, charity, and all other 



256 SPECIAL DEVOTIONS. 

Christian graces : and, that I may obtain 
that which Thou dost promise, make me 
ever to love that which Thou dost command ; 
and this I beg through the merits, and for 
the sake, of Thy dear Son Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 

IN TIME OF CALAMITY. 

God, who desirest not the death, but 
the repentance of sinners, I beseech Thee, 
in Thy loving kindness, turn Thy people to 
Thyself; that when they devote themselves 
to Thee, Thou mayest remove the scourges 
of Thine anger. Give efficacy to the peni- 
tence, and the devout supplications of Thy 
people, and mercifully turn away the evil 
by which we are consumed ; that the hearts 
of men may know that these scourges both 
proceed from Thine indignation, and cease 
by Thy compassion ; through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen, 

IN VIEW OF THE LAST JUDGMENT. 

In that tremendous day, Lord Jesus, 
when the heavens and the earth shall be 
shaken, and when Thou shalt come to judge 
the world, deliver us from eternal death. 

In that day of wrath, calamity, and misery : 



SUPPLICATIONS. 257 

In that day, great and bitter : 

In that day of terror, dread, and sadness : 

Have pity, Lord, on those who confess 
Thy passion, and trust in Thy mediation. 

In that day let not Thy grace fail us. 
Let not the light of our lamps be put out. 
Let not Thy justice be against us; but cover 
us with the garments of Thy mercy when 
we shall appear before Thee to be judged. 

Pity us, Christ ; and remember that 
Thou, who art our Judge, art also our Sa- 
viour : Thou, who hast redeemed us by Thy 
bitter passion, receive us for the sake of 
Thine everlasting love. Amen. 



DIES IRiE. 



Day of anger, day of wonder, 
When the world shall roll asunder. 
Quenched in fire and smoke and thunder! 

0, vast terror, wild, heart-rending, 
Of that hour when earth is ending, 
And her jealous Judge descending: 

When the trumpet's voice astoundeth. 
Through earth's sepulchres reboundeth, 
Summons universal soundeth ! 

Death astonished, naturo shaken. 
Sees all creatures as tlioy waken, 
To that dire tribunal taken. 

17 



258 SPECIAL DEVOTIONS. 

Lo! the book where all is hoarded, 
Not a secret unrecorded: 
Every doom is thence awarded. 

Lo! the Judge when lie arraigneth, 
Every hidden thing explaineth: 
Nothing unavenged remaineth. 

In that fiery revelation 

Where shall I make supplication, 

When the just hath scarce salvation ? 

Fount of love, dread King supernal, 

Freely giving life eternal, 

Save me from the pains infernal! 

This forget not, sweet Life-giver, 
Me Thou earnest to deliver: 
Cast me not away forever! 

Seeking me Thy sad life lasted, 

On the cross death's pains were tasted; 

Let not toil like this be wasted! 

God of righteous retribution, 
Grant my sins full absolution, 
Ere Thy wrath's last execution! 

Lo! I stand with face suffused, 
Groaning, in my guilt accused ; 
Spare my soul, with sorrow bruised! 

By the Magdalene forgiven. 
By the dying robber shriven, 
I, too, cherish hope of heaven. 

Though my prayers are full of failing, 
Save me, by Thy grace availing, 
From the pit of endless wailing! 



SUPPLICATIONS. 259 

On Thy right a place provide me, 
With Thy chosen sheep beside me: 
From the goats, good Lord, divide me! 

When to penal fire are driven 
Those who would not be forgiven, 
Call me with Thy saints to heaven 

Kneeling, crushed in heart before Thee, 
Sad and suppliant I adore Thee : 
Hear me, save me, I implore Thee! 



b 



II. 

PRAYERS. 

Ask, and it shall be given you ; seek, and ye shall find ; 
knock, and it shall be opened unto you. — St. Matt. vii. 7. 

All things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, 
ye shall receive. — St. Matt. xxi. 22. 

Let my prayer be set forth before Thee as incense; and 
the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. — 
Ps. cxli. 2. 

Our Father. Thou, Lord, art the true 
Father of all that are called children in 
heaven and in earth. At the beginning of 
my prayer excite in me a childlike reverence 
for, and confidence in Thee. Let me realize 
that Thou art my Father in Christ, and wilt 
much less deny me what I ask of Thee in 
true faith, than my earthly parents will re- 
fuse me earthly things. 

"Which art in Heaven. Whom have I in 
heaven but Thee? and there is none upon 
earth that I desire besides Thee. Though 
Thou art the high and lofty One that inhabit- 
eth eternity, whose Name is Holy, yet with 
him also wilt Thou dwell who is of a contrite 
and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the 
humble, and to revive the heart of the con- 

(260) 



PRAYERS. 261 

trite ones. Let me form no earthly concep- 
tions of Thy heavenly majesty ; but give me 
such a sense of Thy greatness and goodness 
as will lead me to expect from Thee all 
things necessary for soul and body. 

Hallowed be Thy Name. Grant me first 
rightly to know Thee, and to sanctify, glo- 
rify, and praise Thee in all Thy works, in 
which Thy power, wisdom, goodness, justice, 
mercy, and truth, are clearly displayed ; and 
give me grace also so to order and direct my 
whole life, my thoughts, words, and actions, 
that Thy name may never be blasphemed, 
but rather honored and praised, on my ac- 
count. Thus, by earnestly seeking the sanc- 
tification of my own heart and life, may I 
sanctify Thy holy Name. 

Thy kingdom come. So rule me by Thy 
word and Spirit that I may submit myself 
more and more to Thee. Preserve and in- 
crease Thy holy Church ; destroy all the 
works of the devil, and all violence which 
would exalt itself against Thee, and also all 
wicked counsels devised against Thy holy 
word, until the full perfection of Thy king- 
dom takes place, wherein Thou shalt be all 
in all. 

Thy will be done on earth as it is in* 
heaven. Grant, Lord, that I, and all men, 



262 SPECIAL DEYOTIOXS. 

may renounce our own will, and without 
murmuring obey Thy will, which is only 
good ; that so every one may attend to, and 
perform the duties of his station and calling 
as willingly and faithfully as the angels do 
in heaven. 

Give us this day our daily bread. Be 
pleased to provide me with all things neces- 
sary for the body, that I may thereby 
acknoAvledge Thee to be the Fountain of all 
good, and that neither my own industry, nor 
even Thy gifts, can profit me without Thy 
blessing, that so I may withdraw my trust 
from all creatures, and place it alone in Thee. 

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive 
OUR debtors. Be pleased for the sake of 
Christ^s blood, not to impute to me, a poor 
sinner, my transgressions, nor that depravity 
which always cleaves to me ; even as I feel 
this evidence of Thy grace in me, that it is 
my firm resolution from the heart to forgive 
my neighbor. 

And lead us not into temptation, but 
deliver us from evil. Since I am so weak 
in myself, that I cannot stand a moment; 
and besides this, since my mortal enemies, 
which I have renounced, the devil, the world, 
and my own flesh, cease not to assault me ; 
do Thou, Lord, preserve and strengthen 



PRAYERS. 263 

me by the power of Thy Holy Spirit, that I 
may not be overcome in this spiritual war- 
fare ; but may constantly and strenuously 
resist my foes, until I shall obtain at last a 
complete victory. 

For Thine is the kingdom, the power, 
AND the glory, FOREVER. -All this I ask of 
Thee, because Thou, being King and Al- 
mighty, art willing and able to give me all 
good ; and all this I pray for, that thereby, 
not my own, but Thy holy name, may be 
glorified forever. 

Amen. It shall truly and certainly be ; 
for my prayer is more assuredly heard of 
Thee, than I feel in my heart that I desire 
these things of Thee. Lord, I believe ; help 
Thou my unbelief. Amen and amen. 

FOR FAITH. 

blessed Lord, whom, without faith, it is 
impossible to please, let Thy Holy Spirit, I 
beseech Thee, work in me such a faith as 
may be acceptable in Thy sight, even that 
faith which worketh by love. let me not 
rest in a dead faith ; but grant that it may 
be such as may show itself by my works ; 
that it may be that victorious faith, which 
may enable me to overcome the world, and 
conform me to the image of that Christ in 



264 SPECIAL DEVOTIONS. 

whom I believe ; that at last I may receive 
the end of my faith, even the salvation of 
my soul, through the same Jesus Christ, our 
blessed Eedeemer. Amen. 

FOR HUMILITY. 

blessed Jesus, who in Thy life and death 
hast set before us a perfect pattern of humi- 
lity, enable me by Thy grace to imitate Thy 
wonderful condescension ; that I may not, 
by pride and vanity, lose that happiness 
which Thy humility hath purchased for me. 
Make me sensible of my own vileness, by 
reason of my sins, which are evident proofs 
of my folly and weakness, baseness and in- 
gratitude, and render me contemptible in 
Thy sight. Let the thoughts of this cover 
me with shame and confusion, check all my 
vain and aspiring thoughts, and wean me 
from any fond opinion of myself. 

To Thee, Lord, belongs the glory of all 
the good I enjoy, for from Thee I receive it; 
to Thee belongs the glory of all the good I 
think, or do, for it is Thy grace enables me, 
and Thy Holy Spirit works in me to will 
and to do, according to Thy good pleasure. 

let me never purchase the praise of men 
by mean flattery, and sinful compliances, 
nor entertain their applause with too great 



PRAYERS. 265 

delight ; but make me humble in all thoughts 
of myself, and patient under reproaches and 
indignities, because Thou, who wa'st without 
sin, didst not disdain to suffer them for my 
sake : Grant this, blessed Jesus, who with 
the Father, and the Holy Spirit, livest and 
reignest one God, world without end. Amen. 

AFTER A RELAPSE INTO SIN. 

Lord God Almighty, just and true. Thou 
Sovereign of the world, on whom is all my 
dependence, and in whom is all my hope ; I 
am ashamed and blush to appear before 
Thee, seeing I have highly offended Thy 
divine Majesty. I know not how to lift up 
mine eyes unto heaven ; but am forced to 
smite upon my breast, and call upon Thee to 
have mercy upon me a sinner. 

1 have sinned against Thee from time to 
time, and have aggravated my sins with 
many heinous and dreadful circumstances ; 
and though I have resolved, and promised, 
and vowed amendment, yet have I again 
broken my faith, relapsed into my former 
guilt, and have therefore cut off myself from 
all right to Thy promises. 

What can I now plead for myself? From 
the bar of Thy justice I flee to Thy throne 
of mercy ; beseeching Thee to be favorable 



266 SPECIAL DEVOTIONS. 

unto me, because Thou delightest in mercy. 
let me not be miserable, though I have 
taken the road to misery, have perverted my 
ways, and have run upon destruction with 
open eyes. I acknowledge with shame and 
sorrow that I have sinned against Thee, 
when I knew myself to be in Thy presence, 
and when I was fully convinced that it is an 
evil thing and bitter to forsake the Lord my 
God. My conscience accuses me ; my heart 
condemns me ; and Thou, who art greater 
than my heart, and knowest all things, 
may est justly stop Thine ears, when I now 
cry unto Thee, in the anguish of my soul: 
Father, I have sinned against heaven, and 
before Thee, and am no more worthy to be 
called Thy Son. I have sinned against the 
light of Thy gospel, and Thine infinite love 
to me ; against the terrors of Thy threaten- 
ings, the drawings of Thy mercy, the rebukes 
of Thy Spirit, the checks of my own con- 
science, and my most solemn vows and en- 
gagements. 

Yet, merciful Lord, my sin is not too 
great for Thee to pardon or remove from me, 
that I may never more repeat it. If Thou 
wilt. Thou canst make me whole. The more 
my wickedness has abounded, the more let 
Thy grace and mercy abound. Absolve me 



PRAYERS. 267 

from the guilt, deliver me from the power, 
cleanse me from the pollution, save me from 
the punishment of this and all my other 
offences. reconcile me to Thyself here, 
and crown me with immortal glory here- 
after: through Jesus Christ Thy Son, our 
only Advocate and Mediator. Amen, Amen, 

FOR PARDON. 

holy and most merciful Father, spare 
me, Thy poor sinful but repenting creature. 
Spare me, good Lord, spare me ; and let me 
not perish in my sins, but through Thine 
infinite mercies find pardon. I am a sinful 
being, Lord ; but Thou, blessed Jesus, 
art the Saviour of sinners ; and Thou didst 
come into the world to call sinners to repent- 
ance. Lord, I come at Thy call ; cast me 
not away ; disown not Thy penitent child. 

1 have gone astray, and am very defective 
in my return to Thee. But Thou, gracious 
Lord, knowest our frame, and considerest 
whereof we are made. 0, be not extreme to 
mark mine offences ; but for Christ's sake 
blot out mine iniquities. 

And now that I have found the way to 
Thy fear, let me find the comforts of Thy 
mercy. My spirit is broken, and trembleth 
at Thy words ; Lord, receive it. It is 



268 SPECIAL DEVOTIONS. 

lieavy laden, and wearied with my sins ; 
my God, give it rest. Pity me, Father, as 
a father pitieth his own children. Receive 
me as the offended father received the re- 
turning prodigal. Though I was lost, yet 
now, by the blessing of Thy grace, I am 
found again. 0, welcome Thy lost sheep 
when it returns home ; and let there be joy 
in heaven on this repentance of me, a lost 
sinner. 

0, let the blood of Jesus cleanse me from 
all my sins. Let His intercession for me in 
Thy presence make my peace, and appease 
Thy wrath. Shut not Thine ears against the 
voice of Ilis blood, nor turn away from His 
mediation ; but hear Him, my Advocate for 
my pardon. And let me find the forgiveness 
of all my sins ; that Thy troubled and trem- 
bling servant may have peace ; and that 
Thou mayest be sought, and feared, and 
served by sinners, who will return unto Thee 
in hope of Thy grace and pardoning mercy ; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord and only 
Saviour. Amen. 

II. 

Almighty and most merciful Father, look 
down upon me. Thine unworthy servant, 
who here prostrate myself at the footstool 



PRAYERS. 269, 

of Thy throne of grace ; but look upon me, 
Father, through the mediation and in the 
merits of Jesus Christ, in \Yhom only Thou 
art well pleased ; for of myself I am not 
worthy to stand before Thee, or to speak 
with m}^ unclean lips to Thee, most holy 
and eternal God. For as in sin I was con- 
ceived and born, so likewise I have broken 
all Thy commandments by my sinful mo- 
tions, unclean thoughts, evil Avords, and 
wicked works ; omitting many duties I ought 
to do, and committing many vices which 
Thou hast forbidden under pain of Thy 
heavy displeasure. 

As for my sins, Lord, they are innume- 
rable ; wherefore I stand here liable to all 
the miseries of this life, and everlasting tor- 
ments in that to come, if Thou shouldst deal 
with me according to my deserts. I confess, 
Lord, that it is Thy mercy, which endureth 
forever, and Thy compassion, which never 
faileth, which are the causes that I have not 
been long ago consumed. But with Thee 
there is mercy, and plenteous redemption ; 
in the multitude, therefore, of Thy mercies, 
and by the merits of Jesus Christ, I entreat 
Thy divine Majesty, that Thou wouldst not 
enter into judgment with Thy servant, nor 
be extreme to mark what is done amiss ; but 



270 SPECIAL DEVOTIONS. 

be Thou merciful unto me, and wash away 
all my sins with that precious blood which 
my Saviour shed for me. 

And I beseech Thee, Lord, not only to 
wash away my sins, but also to purge my 
heart by Thy Holy Spirit from the dross of 
natural corruption ; and as Thou dost add 
days to my life, so, good Lord, I beseech 
Thee to add repentance to my days, that, 
when I have passed this mortal life, I may 
be partaker of Thine everlasting kingdom ; 
through the merits of Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

FOR LOVE TO OUR NEIGHBOR. 

Gracious God, who art good, and dost 
good, who extendest Thy loving kindness to 
all mankind ; suffer me not to exclude any 
from my charity, who are the objects of Thy 
tenderness and mercy ; but grant me grace 
to treat all my neighbors with that love and 
good will which is due to all Thy servants 
and children. 

Make me ready to embrace all occasions 
that may minister to their happiness, by 
assisting the needy, protecting the oppressed, 
instructing the ignorant, reproving the 
wicked and profane. Grant, that I may look 
upon the defects and frailties of otheris as if 



PRAYERS. 271 

they were mine own ; that I may conceal 
them ; and making Thy love to me, blessed 
Jesus, the pattern of my love to them, may 
I above all things endeavor to promote their 
eternal welfare. Thou didst not think any- 
thing too dear to part with, to rescue me 
from eternal misery ; let me not think 
anything too dear to part with, that may set 
forward the everlasting good of my fellow 
Christians. They are members of Thy body ; 
therefore I will cherish them. Thou hast 
redeemed them with an inestimable price ; 
therefore will I endeavor to recover them 
from destruction ; that, thus adorning Thy 
holy gospel by doing good according to my 
power and capacity, I may at last be received 
into the endearments of Thy eternal love, 
and sing praises to the Lamb, who was slain, 
and sitteth upon the throne, to whom be 
glory forever. Amen, Amen. 

ON ENGAGING IN A NEW PURSUIT. 

God, who hast ordained that whatever 
is to be desired should be sought by labor, 
and who by Thy blessing bringest honest 
labor to good effect ; look with mercy upon 
my present purposes and endeavors. Grant 
me, Lord, by Thy Holy Spirit, to design 
only what is lawful and right. Enable me 



272 SPECIAL DEVOTIONS. 

to shun sloth and negligence, that every day 
may discharge part of the task which Thou 
hast allotted me ; and so further with Thy 
help my labor, which without Thy help must 
be ineffectual, that I may obtain in my un- 
dertaking such success as will most promote 
Thy glory, the good of others, and the sal- 
vation of my own soul, for the sake of Jesus 
Christ, Thine only Son, our Lord. Amen. 

IT. 

eternal God, guide me, by Thy grace, 
in all my affairs, that I may be diligent, 
just, and faithful in the calling in which 
Thy providence has placed me. Bless and 
prosper my labors, as Thou, in Thy wisdom, 
seest most convenient for me. Preserve me, 
by Thy Holy Spirit, from covetousness, lying, 
and indirect and sordid arts ; and give me 
prudence, honesty, and Christian sincerity; 
that my trade and business being sanctified 
by my religion, my labor may be attended 
with Thy blessing; and when I have finished 
the portion of my work which Thou hast 
allotted me here, I may be received with the 
inheritance of Thy children, there to rest 
from my labors, through the merits of my 
ever-blessed Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen. 



273 



BEFORE A JOURNEY. 



Almighty God, in whom all things live, 
move, and have their being, who dost govern 
all things by Thy wise providence, and 
w^hose protection is my only security and 
defence ; I humbly beseech Thy divine 
Majesty to give Thy holy angels charge over 
me in the journey I am now about to under- 
take. Let Thy grace preserve me from all 
the temptations to which I shall be exposed, 
in all those places and companies whither 
my occasions shall lead me. Defend me from 
thieves and robbers, and protect me from all 
other dangers and accidents. Preserve my 
going out and my coming in. Let Thy kind 
providence be my guard. Thy grace my 
defence, and Thy blessed Self my portion, 
now and evermore, through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 

AFTER A JOURNEY. 

Almighty God, who savest our life from 
destruction, and crownest us with mercy and 
loving-kindness ; blessed be Thy holy Name, 
that Thou hast brought me safe to the end 
of my journey, and preserved me from the 
innumerable accidents and dangers to which 
I was exposed. It is of Thy mercy that 
18 



274 SPECIAL DEVOTIONS. 

health and life have been continued to me. 
It is of Thy goodness that no evil men have 
made any assault upon me, when others have 
suffered by their violence. It is of Thy pro- 
vidence that I have been protected against 
accidents, so that not a bone of me is 
broken. From how many unforeseen dan- 
gers, Lord, hast Thou protected me 1 Lord, 
I will triumph in Thy praise ; and not only 
with my lips, but in my life, will I express 
my thanks, by being more obedient to Thy 
holy commands, and more peaceful in my 
trust in Thee, that I may serve Thee in 
holiness and quietness all the days of my life : 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

FOR ANGELIC MINISTRATIONS. 

God of Hosts, who in Thy wonderful 
providence, hast made the holy angels minis- 
tering spirits, and sendest them to minister 
to them who are the heirs of salvation ; be- 
hold with pity the temptations and dangers 
to which the frailty of my nature is con- 
stantly exposed ; and give Thy holy angels 
charge to bear me in their hands, that I fall 
not. Let those friendly spirits ever succor 
and defend me in my pilgrimage on earth, 
and shield me from all the violence of the 
powers of darkness. Give me grace, I be- 



PRAYERS. 275 

seech Thee, to praise and adore Thee for 
their ministry and protection ; and to endea- 
vor to do Thy will with the same diligence 
and industry, with the same zeal and cheer- 
fulness, as it is done by Thy blessed angels 
in heaven ; that, imitating their exemplary 
obedience, and unspotted purity, in life, I 
may enjoy the advantage of their assistance 
in the hour of death, in that dismal conflict 
with the powers of darkness ; and being by 
them conducted to the mansions of glory, 
may be advanced to a more intimate society 
with them, in the life to come: through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

UNDER CROSSES. 

Lord Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, 
who wast given both to be a sacrifice for sin 
and also an example of godly life, who didst 
bid us take up our cross daily and follow 
Thee ; make, I beseech Thee, the yoke of 
Thy commandments easy, and the burden 
of Thy cross light unto me. Conform me, 
Lord, to the likeness of Thy passion. Give 
me grace, eternal Father, that I may keep 
the way of the holy cross, and carry in my 
heart the image of Jesus crucified. Enable 
me cheerfully to resign myself to Thy divine 
will, that, being fashioned after His life- 



276 SPECIAL DEYOTIONS. 

giving death, I may die daily according to 
the flesh, and live according to the spirit of 
righteousness : through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 

IN TIME OF DEEP DISTRESS. 

BLESSED Lord, the Father of mercies, 
and the God of all comforts, look, I beseech 
Thee, in pity and compassion upon Thy 
afflicted servant. Thou writest hitter things 
against me, and makest me to possess my 
former iniquities : Thy wrath lieth hard 
upon me, and my soul is full of trouble ; 
but, merciful God, who hast written Thy 
holy word for our learning, that we, through 
patience and comfort of Thy holy Scriptures, 
might have hope ; give me a right under- 
standing of myself, and of Thy threats and 
promises ; that I may neither cast away my 
confidence in Thee, nor place it any where 
but in Thee. 

most gracious and eternal Son of God, 
who only hast power to forgive sins, and to 
rescue erring souls from the power of sin 
and Satan ; be gracious to me, seeing I con- 
fess Thy justice in my sufferings, and beg 
to feel Thy mercy in my pardon, and Thy 
pity in my ease and restitution. Reject me 
not ; for I implore for remission of my sins. 



PRAYERS. 277 

Remember not against me the follies of my 
childhood, nor the vanities and sins of my 
youth. Thou, Lord Jesus, hast glorified 
Thyself in all generations, by giving pardon 
to the penitent, ease to the afflicted, comfort 
to the comfortless, and refreshment to the 
weary ; behold also, Lord, the sorrows of 
Thy servant, and remember my sins no 
more. Let me feel the efi'ects of Thy mighty 
power and of Thy glorious victory over sin 
and all the powers of darkness, and grant 
me graciously the comforts of a holy hope. 

God of compassion, give to my sorely 
vexed spirit strength against all my tempta- 
tions, and heal all my afflictions ; break not 
the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking 
flax : shut not up Thy tender mercies in dis- 
pleasure ; but make me to hear of joy and 
gladness, that the bones which Thou hast 
broken may rejoice: Deliver me from fear 
of the enemy, and lift up the light of Thy 
countenance upon me ; and give me peace, 
through the merits and mediation of Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Unto Thy gracious mercy and protection 
I commit myself: The Lord bless me, and 
keep me: The Lord make His face to shine 
upon me, and be gracious unto me : The Lord 



278 SPECIAL DEVOTIONS. 

lift up His countenance upon me, and give 
me peace, both now and evermore. Amen. 

AFTER THE REMOVAL OF CALAMITIES. 

Almighty and everlasting God, who heal- 
est us by Thy chastisements, and preservest 
us by Thy pardon ; grant unto us, Thy sup- 
pliants, that we may both rejoice in the 
comfort of the deliverance which we have 
implored, and also use the gifts of Thy 
mercy for the amendment of our lives: 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



III. 

AN ACT OF GENERAL INTER- 
CESSION. 

And Ho saw that there was no man, and wondered that 
there was no intercessor. — Is. lix. 16. 

He bore the sins of many, and made intercession for the 
transgressors. — Is. liii. 12. 

We know not what we should pray for as we ought; but 
the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groaninga 
which cannot be uttered. — Rom. viii. 26. 

Lord, on whom the eyes of all do wait, 
remember every creature of Thine for good ; 
and visit the whole earth with Thy mercy. 

Thou Preserver and Lover of men, think 
graciously upon mankind ; and as Thou hast 
concluded all under sin and unbelief, so let 
Thy pity and pardon extend to all. 

Thou, who for this end didst both die, 
and rise, and revive, that Thou mightest be 
the Lord both of the dead and the living ; 
since, whether we live, or whether we die, 
still we are Thine, Lord : let Thy mercy 
be upon us, both in life and in death. 

Thou Helper of the helpless, our sea- 
sonable refuge in the time of trouble, reraem- 

(279) 



280 SPECIAL DEVOTIONS. ^ 

ber all that lie under any sort of extremity, 
and call upon Thee for succor and protec- 
tion. 

Thou, who art the God of grace and 
truth, establish and strengthen in Thy truth 
them that stand ; restore the weak, raise up 
them that fall through heresies and sins. 

Thou, who art the wholesome defence and 
strength of Thine anointed, think upon the 
congregation which Thou hast purchased 
and redeemed of old ; and let the multitude 
of them that believe be of one heart, and of 
one soul. 

Thou, Lord, who walkest in the midst of 
the seven golden candlesticks, remove not, 
we pray Thee, our candlestick out of its 
place ; but supply the things which are 
wanting among us, and strengthen those 
which remain, and are ready to die. 

Send forth, we pray Thee, Lord of the 
harvest, laborers in all points fitted by Thy 
grace to do the work of the harvest. 

Thou, who art the portion of them that 
wait at Thine altar, grant that Thy minis- 
ters may always be enabled rightly to divide, 
and uprightly to walk in, the word of Thy 
truth ; and let Thy people always be ready, 
with meek heart and due reverence, to re- 
ceive the same at their mouths. 



AN ACT OF GENERAL INTERCESSION. 281 

Thou great King over all the earth, 
Lord of lords, and holy Kuler of princes, be 
watchful over those Avhom Thou hast de- 
puted to rule Thy world here below, and 
more especially over our own rulers ; assist 
and prosper all their righteous undertakings, 
and inspire them with noble and good de- 
signs, for the advantage of Thy Church, and 
of all the people committed to their charge, 
that they may lead quiet and peaceable lives 
in all godliness and honesty. Scatter the 
nations that delight in blood, and command 
wars to cease in all the world. 

Thou, who distributest among men dif- 
ferent degrees of power severally as Thou 
wilt, grant that all persons of eminence and 
authority may be as eminent for virtue, and 
a sincere regard to Thy true religion. Fill 
all our counsellors with godly wisdom ; let 
our legislators do much in behalf of, but no- 
thing against, the truth. Guide Thou our 
judges and magistrates in the administra- 
tion of justice to all persons, and in all 
causes, without preferring one to another, or 
doing anything by partiality. 

Give all our people grace to live in sub- 
jection to the higher powers, not only from 
fear, but for conscience' sake. 

Bless our husbandmen with fruitful sea- 



282 SPECIAL DEVOTIONS. 

sons ; our fleets with favorable winds ; our 
merchants with successful voyages ; our 
tradesmen with a spirit of honesty and con- 
tentment ; our artificers with grace to follow 
their respective labors diligently and pa- 
tiently, for fair and reasonable profit, and in 
humble dependence on Thy blessing. 

Thou, who hast commanded a due care for 
our relations, and abhorrest those who are 
void of natural affection, be favorable to my 
kindred, whether by blood or alliance ; pre- 
serve among us all peace, friendship, and 
tenderness, and make us evermore ready to 
seek and rejoice in ano therms good. 

Thou, who requirest us to love them 
that love us, pour out Thy blessings great 
and manifold upon all my friends and bene- 
factors, all who have done or wished me well, 
many perhaps unknown to me ; preserve 
them, Lord, and keep them alive, that 
they may be blessed upon the earth, and 
deliver them not into the will of their 
enemies. 

Thou, who hast pronounced that man 
worse than an infidel who is regardless of 
his own household, behold with Thy favor 
every one belonging to this family ; yea, let 
Thy peace rest upon this whole house, and 
the Son of peace ever dwell in it. 



AN ACT OF GENERAL INTERCESSION. 283 

Thou, who hast declared that our bro- 
therly love must far exceed that of publicans 
and sinners, grant that I may never be 
wanting in kindness and civil respect to all 
who live peaceably and quietly in my neigh- 
borhood, but be cheerful and always ready to 
make suitable returns of love to all that love 
me. 

Thou, who hast directed us to overcome 
evil with good, and hast expressly com- 
manded us to pray for them that persecute 
us and despitefully use us, pardon and bless 
all that speak evil of me, all that have hated 
me with or without a cause. Have the same 
mercy, Lord, on all mine enemies as on 
myself, and bring them, I beseech Thee, to 
Thy heavenly kingdom, to which I hope and 
pray Thou wilt at length bring me. 

Lord, soften and convert hardened and 
foolish hearts, who, through ignorance or 
prejudice, contemn Thy word and ordi- 
nances, who deride Thy holy religion, and 
wilfully forbear and refuse to pray ; give 
them a sorrowful sense of this evil heart of 
unbelief, and prescvrvo others from the in- 
fection of such pestilent examples. And 
for a more effectual check to such daring 
and dangerous wickedness, assist and pros- 
per all that are employed in any laudable 



284 SPECIAL DEYOTIONS. 

undertaking, whereby the glory of Thy 
Name, the increase of Thy Church, and the 
good of mankind, may be promoted and 
secured : particularly, be pleased to reward 
an hundred-fold all who bountifully contri- 
bute of their substance to works of piety 
and charity. 

I entreat Thee, gracious Lord, to look 
down on all ages and conditions of mki : 
infants, children, and young people, middle- 
aged, and those in declining years, the aged 
and feeble, the hungry and thirsty, the 
naked and sick, prisoners and strangers, 
those that have no settled dwelling while 
they live, and those who are destitute of 
friends to bury them when they die; all of 
failing and feeble understanding, or who are 
discontented or disturbed in their minds ; all 
who labor under any temptation to destroy 
themselves, who are vexed with evil spirits, 
or are driven to despair of Thy mercy ; the 
distressed in body or soul, the timorous or 
faint-hearted, criminals and those condemned 
to die ; the orphans and widows ; travellers 
by land or by water, captives and slaves ; all 
that wander about homeless, and all that lie 
expiring in the agonies of death: be a friend 
to the friendless, a helper to the helpless, a 
hope to the hopeless, and the Saviour of all. 



AX ACT OF GENERAL INTERCESSION. 285 

Do Thou, Lord, save both man and beast ; 
for excellent is Thy mercy, God ; and the 
children of men shall put their trust under 
the shadow of Thy wings. 

Finally, Lord, I commit to Thy care and 
protection, now, henceforth, and forever, my 
soul and my body, my mind and my thoughts, 
my prayers and all my desires, my senses 
and my limbs, my life and my death, my 
kindred friends, my benefactors and inter- 
cessors, my neighbors and acquaintances, 
my countrymen, and all my fellow Christians. 

The Lord bless us and keep us ; the Lord 
make His face to shine upon us, and be gra- 
cious unto us : the Lord lift up the light of 
His countenance upon us, and give us peace. 
Amen. 

FOR PARENTS. 

Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus 
Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven 
and earth is named ; I give Thee most hum- 
ble thanks, that Thou didst, of Thy divine 
providence, vouchsafe to let me be born of 
Christian parents, by whose care I was 
brought to Thy holy Baptism, and after- 
wards instructed in Thy holy religion. I 
beseech Thee, blessed God, who art the 
rewarder of every good work, to bless them 



286 SPECIAL DEYOTIONS. 

for their faithfulness, even out of the riches 
of Thy grace. Give them peace and plenty; 
defend them from all dangers both of body 
and soul; keep them in the steadfastness 
and joys of Thy faith, and in the obedience 
of Thy holy commandments: that so, having 
Thee as their merciful and gentle Father, 
they may at last, after many happy days 
here in this life, be brought unto life ever- 
lasting: through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

II. 

Almighty God, who hast strictly com- 
manded us to honor our father and our mo- 
ther next to Thee ; grant me, of Thy good- 
ness and grace, so to love, and to honor my 
parents, to fear and to obey them, to help, 
and to pray for them, as Thou in Thy holy 
Word hast directed and charged me to do ; 
that both in their life and at their death, 
their souls may bless me ; and that by Thy 
fatherly mercy I may obtain that blessing 
which Thou hast promised to those that 
honor their father and their mother; and 
that Thou, becoming my loving heavenly 
Father, mayest number me among those 
Thy children who are heirs of Thy glorious 
kingdom: through Thy well beloved and 
dear Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



AN ACT OF GENERAL INTERCESSION. 287 

FOR THE CONGREGATION TO WHICH YOU 
BELONG. 

Thou, who accepteth the intercessions 
which Thy servants offer for each other ; re- 
member, I entreat Thee, for good all the 
members of Thy holy Church throughout all 
the world, and especially of that congrega- 
tion to which I now belong ; grant that we 
maybe joined together in the bond of a holy 
faith as one body, and bring forth abund- 
antly the fruit of good works. May we know 
and experience the blessedness of commu- 
nion with each other in the rites of a holy 
worship, and in mutual acts of charity and 
kindness. Give us grace that we may perse- 
vere in the ways of godliness, and bring us 
all at last to the possession of those unspeak- 
able joys which Thou hast prepared for them 
that love Thee : that with apostles, martyrs, 
confessors, and all saints who have gone be- 
fore us in the race of faith, we may enjoy the 
full blessedness of communion with Thee and 
with each other in Thy eternal and glorious 
kingdom: through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

FOR THE FAMILY IN WHICH YOU LIVE. 

Visit, I beseech Thee, most gracious Fa- 
ther, this family with thy salvation ; let Thy 



288 SPECIAL DEVOTIONS. 

blessings descend, and rest upon all that be- 
long unto it, as well absent as present. Con- 
tinue to preserve us, Thy servants, both in 
life and in death ; grant us whatsoever is 
necessary for our bodies or our souls ; guide 
us by Thy counsels here, and hereafter 
bring us to Thy glory : through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 

FOR FRIENDS. 

Christ, my Creator and Redeemer, have 
mercy on all who are joined to me by the 
ties of blood, or united to me by the intimacy 
of holy affections, for whom I am desired to 
pray, or have resolved to pray. Deliver 
them from all evil, and preserve them in all 
good ; that, being subject to Thee with their 
whole heart, and filled with the spirit of Thy 
love, they may be cleansed from earthly de- 
sires, and made worthy, by Thy grace, of 
heavenly blessedness, for Thy Name's sake. 
Amen. 



IV. 
THANKSGIVINGS. 

Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving. 

I will wash my hands in innocency; so will I compass 
Thine altar, Lord : that I may publish with the voice 
of thanksgiving, and tell of all Thy wondrous works. 

Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the 
Father, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Let the people praise Thee, God ; let all the peoplo 
praise Thee. 

From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the 
same, the Lord's name is to be praised. Let everything 
that hath breath praise the Lord. 

Because Thy loving kindness is better than life, my lips 
shall praise Thee. 

Thus will I bless Thee, while I- live; I will lift up my 
hands in Thy name; and my mouth shall praise Thee 
with joyful lips. 

I will extol Thee, my God. Every day will I bless 
Thee ; and I will praise Thy name forever and ever. 

AN ACT OF GENERAL THANKSGIYING. 

It is meet, right, and our bounden duty, 
that we should at all times, and in all places, 
give thajiks unto Thee, Lord God Almighty, 
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. 

I will magnify Thee, I will worship Thee, 
I will serve Thee, I will love and delight in 
Thee, I will entirely devote myself to Thee, 
Lord, my strength and salvation. 

19 (289) 



290 SPECIAL DEYOTIONS. 

Thou art worthy. For Thou art the Lord 
God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, 
and abundant in goodness and truth ; keep- 
ing mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity, 
transgression, and sin. 

In goodness art Thou exalted, Lord God 
of Israel, our Father, forever and ever. 
Thine, Lord, is the greatness, and the 
glory, and the victory, and the majesty; for 
all that is in heaven, and in the earth, is 
Thine. Thine, Lord, is the kingdom, and 
the power, and the glory, forever. 

Lord, my good and gracious God : For 
my being ; for my continued life ; for my 
reason ; for Thy bountiful providence, by 
which Thou hast nourished, preserved, di- 
rected, and governed me : 

1 thank and praise Thee, Lord, my God. 
For my education ; for my civil, social, 

and religious privileges ; for all the gifts of 
nature and grace : 

I thank and praise Thee, Lord, my God. 

For my redemption, regeneration, and in- 
struction in the truth ; for the repeated and 
unwearied calls of Thy mercy ; for Thy for- 
bearance and long-suffering amid great pro- 
vocations for so many years, and even to this 
very time : 

I thank and praise Thee, Lord, my God. 

For every mercy which I have received ; 



THANKSGIVINGS. 291 

for every undertaking in which Thou hast 
prospered me ; for every good action which 
Thou hast enabled me to do ; for all the en- 
joyments of this present life, and for all 
Thy promises, and all my hopes of a better 
life to come : 

I thank and praise Thee, Lord, my God. 

For the advantage of pious and careful 
parents ; for the benefit of gentle teachers ; 
for the kindness of benefactors ; for the plea- 
sure of faithful and agreeable friends ; for 
the comfort of peaceable neighbors : 

I thank and praise Thee, Lord, my God. 

For all who have at any time done me 
good ; by their writings, or by their sermons ; 
by their discourse, or by their temper ; by 
their prayers, or by their examples ; by their 
advice, or by their reproofs ; by their re- 
wards, or by their punishments ; nay, per- 
haps even by their causeless censures of me, 
or unjust proceedings against me : 

I thank and praise Thee, Lord, my God. 

For all these, and for all other instances 
of any manner of good done to me, whether 
asked or unasked ; whether intended or not 
intended ; whether known or unknown ; 
whether remembered or forgotten ; whether 
with or against my consent : 

I do, and will, praise Thee ; I do, and will, 
bless Thee; I do, and will, humbly adore 



292 SPECIAL DEYOTIONS. 

Thee, and most heartily thank Thee, this 
day, and every day of my life. 

what is Thy servant, or vrhat is my 
father's house, that Thou, the glorious God, 
shouldst look upon such an one as I am ! 

What shall I render unto the Lord for all 
the benefits that He hath done unto me? 
For all that mercy which spared me when I 
deserved punishment ; for all that patience 
which did not disdain to wait for that happy 
change, when so much goodness should at 
length lead me to repentance. 

Blessed be Thy name, Holy, Holy, Holy, 
Lord God Almighty, Father, Son, and Holy 
Ghost, which was, and is, and is to come. 
Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanks- 
giving, and honor, and power, and might, be 
unto our God, forever and ever. Amen. 

May the memory of Thy goodness, and 
every mention of these inestimable instances 
of Thy wondrous love, fill my heart with 
joy and thankfulness, in all places, and at 
all times, unto my life's end ; and let not 
any unworthiness of mine provoke Thee to 
withhold from me any needed good, seeing 
that all Thy blessings come not by my de- 
sert, but through the merits and mediation 
of Jesus Christ our Lord : to whom, with 
Thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honor and 
glory, world without end. Amen. 



PART vn. 



PRIMITIVE DEVOTIONAL FORMS. 



(293) 



Kyn me U7}t6 0/ ine /ietrtiecuti07id iti K:/^ta7ice, 
^nany- a ^tai'iz 7?iecnantc iti ^^i<^7i i(/tole 
lOTia con/edtHond 0/ nui /aUUf m ^c^n^cn, fo 
ou^ du^h^lde^ ti/6 /tnd enUze- ^aacd /zo7?t Ine 
^nutcn rj/^amcTri, qtioiea ^c^o^a fo'r ii^ota 
f^07n memory. /rnal ^t/e co7?t7nU lo 77ie77to^n 
id ^'n^67^ atc^au /^077^ oic'r aoiTza and 
^ni7^n'l7^aJ aTid ncid '^ecoTTie ^la/U c/ ot47^ 
^eiTia. ^y^ nad <^ee7z tnu/zouaM iTt Inc 
77ze7noty and i7i l;ne na-uU 0/ me dhiut, cDid 
id a p'e^77ta7ze7tl: ^QddeddMTi. 25btar'll. 

kJ ^eadu^e ufi de^oUo7iai /oz7?td €7% youi^ 
^TteTno^y^ iTz youm. Q2)uU7zq me aeveTt /i/e7z^ 
ieo-Uii ueatdf /odehu aametcd /ot' mc dei^e^i 
yeatd 0/ dcatcUy ; 'Ufne7z me ei^ti /^77te i^C" 
a{:ndf aTid ^t/a7tt ^tredded^ tl td ioo taU /c 

^at/ier, 3Elaumer. 

(294) 



PEIMITIVE 
DEVOTIOE"AL FORMS. 



These venerable forms of faith and worship 
should he constantly used by Christians in 
their devotions. Every young Christian 
ought early to commit them all to memory, 

THE LORD'S PRAYER. 

Matt. Ti. 9-13. 

Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed 
be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy 
will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 
Give us this day our daily bread. And for- 
give us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 
And lead us not into temptation. But deli- 
ver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, 
and the power, and the glory, forever and 
ever. Amen. 

(295) 



296 PRIMITIYE DEYOTIONAL FORMS. 

THE HYMN OF ZACHARIAS. 

Luke i. 68-79. 

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel ; for He 
hath visited and redeemed His people ; 

And hath raised up a horn of salvation 
for us in the house of His servant David ; 

As He spake by the mouth of His holy 
prophets, which have been since the world 
began ; 

That we should be saved from our ene- 
mies, and from the hand of all that hate us ; 

To perform the mercy promised to our 
fathers, and to remember His holy covenant; 

The oath which He sware to our father 
Abraham ; 

That He would grant unto us, that we, 
being delivered out of the hand of our ene- 
mies, might serve Him without fear, 

In holiness and righteousness before Him, 
all the days of our life. 

And Thou, child, shalt be called the pro- 
phet of the Highest ; for Thou shalt go be- 
fore the face of the Lord to prepare His 
ways; 

To give knowledge of salvation unto His 
people by the remission of their sins, 



THE HYMN OF THE VIRGIN MARY. 297 

Through the tender mercy of our God ; 
whereby the dayspring from on high hath 
visited us ; 

To give light to them that sit in darkness 
and in the shadow of death, to guide our 
feet into the way of peace. 

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, 
and to the Holy Ghost ; 

As it was in the beginning, is now, and 
ever shall be, world without end. Amen. 



THE HYMN OF THE VIRGIN MARY. 

Luke i. 46-55. 

My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my 
spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. 

For He hath regarded the low estate of 
His handmaiden. 

For behold, from henceforth all genera- 
tions shall call me blessed. 

For He that is mighty, hath done to me 
great things ; and holy is His name. 

And His mercy is on them that fear Him 
from generation to generation. 

He hath showed strength with His arm ; 
He hath scattered the proud in the imagina- 
tion of their hearts. 



298 PRIMITIVE DEVOTIONAL FORMS. 

He hath put down the mighty from their 
seats, and exalted them of low degree. 

He hath filled the hungry with good 
things ; and the rich he hath sent empty 
away. 

He hath holpen His servant Israel, in 
remembrance of His mercy ; 

As He spake to our fathers, to Abraham, 
and his seed forever. 

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, 
and to the Holy Ghost ; 

As it was in the beginning, is now, and 
ever shall be, world without end. Amen. 



THE HYMN OF SIMEON. 

Luke ii. 29-32. 

Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart 
in peace, according to Thy word : 

For mine eyes have seen Thy salvation. 

Which Thou hast prepared before the face 
of all people ; 

A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the 
glory of Thy people Israel. Amen. 



SERAPHIC HYMN THE BEATITUDES. 299 

THE SERAPHIC HYMN. 

Isaiah vi. 3. 

Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts : the 
whole earth is full of His glory. Amen. 



THE BEATITUDES. 

Matt. V. 

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is 
the kingdom of heaven. 

Blessed are they that mourn, for they 
shall be comforted. 

Blessed are the meek, for they shall in- 
herit the earth. 

Blessed are they which do hunger and 
thirst after righteousness, for they shall be 
filled. 

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall 
obtain mercy. 

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they 
shall see God. 

Blessed are the peace-makers, for they 
shall be called the children of God. 

Blessed are they which are persecuted for 
righteousness' sake ; for theirs is the king- 
dom of heaven. 



300 PRIMITIVE DEVOTIONAL FORMS. 



THE MINOR DOXOLOGY. 

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, 
and to the Holy Ghost ; 

As it was in the beginning, is now, and 
ever shall be, world without end. Amen. 



THE ANGELIC HYMN. 

Glory be to God on high, and on earth 
peace, good will toward men. We praise 
Thee, we bless Thee, we worship Thee, we 
glorify Thee, we give thanks to Thee for 
Thy great glory, Lord God, heavenly King, 
God the Father Almighty. 

O Lord, the Only-begotten Son, Jesus 
Christ ; Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of 
the Father, that takest away the sin of the 
world, have mercy upon us. Thou that 
takest away the sin of the world, have 
mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the 
sin of the world, receive our prayer. Thou 
that sittest at the right hand of God the 
Father, have mercy upon us. 

For Thou only art holy ; Thou only art 
the Lord; Thou only, Christ, with the 
Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of 
God the Father. Amen. 



THE TE DEUM. 301 

THE TE DEUM. 

From the Fourth or Fifth Century. 

We praise Thee, God : 

"We acknowledge Thee to be the Lord. 

All the earth doth worship Thee, 

The Father everlasting. 

To Thee all angels cry aloud : 

The heavens and all the powers therein. 

To Thee Cherubim and Seraphim 

Continually do cry: 

Holy, Holy, Holy, 

Lord God of Sabaoth. 

Heaven and earth are full 

Of the majesty of Thy glory. 

The glorious company of the Apostles 
praise Thee : 

The goodly fellowship of the Prophets 
praise Thee : 

The noble army of Martyrs praise Thee : 

The holy Church throughout the world 

Doth acknowledge Thee, 

The Father, of an infinite majesty ; 

Thine adorable, true, and only Son : 

Also, the Holy Ghost, the Comforter. 

Thou art the King of glory, Christ : 



302 PRIMITIYE DEVOTIONAL FORMS. 

Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father. 

When Thou tookest upon Thee to deliver 
man, 

Thou didst humble Thyself to be born of 
a Virgin. 

When Thou hadst overcome the sharpness 
of death, 

Thou didst open the kingdom of heaven 
to all believers. 

Thou sittest at the right hand of God, in 
the glory of the Father. 

We believe that Thou shalt come to be our 
Judge. 

We therefore pray Thee, help Thy servants, . 

Whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy pre- 
cious blood. 

Make them to be numbered with Thy 
Saints, 

In glory everlasting. 

Lord, save Thy people, and bless Thy 
heritage : 

Govern them, and lift them up forever. 

Day by day we magnify Thee : 

And we worship Thy name ever, world 
without end. 

Vouchsafe, Lord, to keep us this day 
without sin. 

Lord, have mercy upon us, have mercy 
upon us. 



THE LITANr. 303 

Lord, let Thy mercy be upon us, 

As our trust is in Thee. 

Lord, in Thee have I trusted : 

Let me never be confounded. Amen. 



THE LITANY. 

On the basis of Ancient Latin Litanies. 

God the Father in heaven : have mercy 
upon us. 

Have mercy upon us, 

God the Son, Redeemer of the world : 
have mercy upon us. 
Have mercy upon us, 

God the Holy Ghost, proceeding from 
the Father and the Son : have mercy upon 
us. 

Have mercy upon us, 

holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, 
three persons and one God: have mercy 
upon us. 

Have mercy upon us. 

Remember not. Lord, our offences, nor the 
offences of our forefathers ; neither take 
Thou vengeance of our sins : spare us, good 



304 PRIMITIVE DEYOTIONAL FORMS. 

Lord, spare Thy people, whom Thou hast 
redeemed with Thy most precious blood, and 
be not angry with us forever. 
Spare us, good Lord, 

From all evil and harm ; from the power 
of sin, and the snares of the devil ; from 
Thy wrath, and from everlasting damnation, 

Good Lord, deliver us. 

From all blindness of heart ; from pride, 
vain-glory, and hypocrisy ; from envy, ha- 
tred, and malice, and all uncharitableness, 

Good Lord, deliver us. 

From all impure lusts and desires ; and 
from all the deceits of the world, the flesh, 
and the devil, 

Good Lord, deliver us. 

From lightning, tempest, and earthquake ; 
from plague, pestilence, and famine ; from 
all disasters by land and by water ; from 
battle and murder, and from sudden death, 

Good Lord, deliver lis. 

From tumult and riot ; from sedition and 
rebellion ; from heresy and schism ; from 
hardness of heart, and contempt of Thy 
word and authority, 

Good Lord, deliver us. 



THE LITANY. 305 

By the m^'Stery of Thy holy Incarnation ; 
by Thy holy Nativity and Circumcision ; by 
Thy Baptism, Fasting, and Temptation, 

Good Lord, deliver us. 

By Thine Agony and blood}^ Sweat ; by 
Thy Cross and Passion ; by Thy precious 
Death and Burial ; by Thy glorious Resur- 
rection and Ascension ; and by the Coming 
of the Holy Ghost, 

Good Lord, deliver us. 

In all time of our tribulation ; in all time 
of our wealth ; in the hour of death, and in 
the day of judgment. 

Good Lord, deliver us. 

We sinners do beseech Thee to hear us, 
Lord ; 

Son of God, loe heseech Thee to hear us. 

That it may please Thee to keep us in all 
time of temptation and heaviness ; to com- 
fort and help all the weak-hearted ; to raise 
up them that fall, and finally to beat down 
Satan under our feet ; 

We heseech Thee to hear us, Lord. 

That it may please Thee to succor, help, 
and comfort all that are in danger, neces- 
sity, and tribulation ; 

We heseech Tliee to hear us, Lord, 
20 



306 PRIMITIVE DEVOTIONAL FORMS. 

That if may please Thee to preserve all 
travellers and strangers, all women in the 
perils of child-birth, all sick persons, and 
young children, and to show Thy pity upon 
all prisoners and captives ; 

We beseech Thee to hear us, Lord. 

That it may please Thee to defend and 
provide for the fatherless children, and 
widows, and all that are desolate and op- 
pressed ; 

We beseech Thee to hear us, Lord. 

That it may please Thee to have mercy 
upon all men. 

We beseech Thee to hear us, Lord. 

Son of God, Redeemer of the world, 
Have mercy upon us. 

Lamb of God that takest away the sin 
of the world. 

Have mercy upon us. 

Lamb of God that takest away the sin 
of the world. 

Grant us Thy peace. 

God, merciful Father, who despisest not 
the sighing of the contrite, nor rejectest the 
desire of the sorrowful : be favorable to our 
prayers which in our afflictions that continu- 



THE apostles' CREED. 307 

ally oppress us, we pour out before Thee ; 
and graciously hear them, that those things 
which the craft of the devil or man worketh 
against us, may be brought to nought, and 
by the counsel of Thy goodness be dispersed ; 
so that being hurt by no persecutions, we 
may evermore give thanks unto Thee in Thy 
holy Church, through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
O God, from whom all holy desires, all 
good counsels, and all just works do proceed: 
give unto Thy servants that peace which the 
world cannot give ; that our hearts may be 
set to obey Thy commandments, and also 
that we, being defended from the fear of our 
enemies, may by Thy protection pass our 
time in peace and quietness, through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 



THE APOSTLES' CREED. 

I believe in God the Father Almighty, 
Maker of heaven and earth : 

And in Jesus Christ His only-begotten 
Son our Lord ; who was conceived by the 
Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary ; suf- 
fered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, 
dead, and buried ; He descended into hell ; 



308 PRIMITIVE DEYOTIONAL FORMS. 

the third day He rose from the dead ; He 
ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right 
hand of God the Father Almighty; from 
thence He shall come to judge the quick and 
the dead. 

I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy 
Catholic Church ; the Communion of saints ; 
the remission of sins ; the resurrection of 
the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. 



THE NICENE CREED. 

ADOPTED BY THE (ECUMENICAL SYNODS, OF NICE, 
A.D. 325, AND OF CONSTANTINOPLE, A.D. 381. 

We believe in one God the Father Al- 
mighty, Maker of heaven and earth, of all 
things visible and invisible : 

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only- 
begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father 
before all worlds, God of God, Light of 
Light, very God of very God ; begotten, not 
made ; of one substance with the Father, by 
whom all things were made : who for us men 
and for our salvation came down from heaven, 
and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the 
Yirgin Mary, and was made man : who was 
also crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, 



THE ATHANASIAN CREED. 309 

and suffered and was buried ; and the third 
day rose again according to the Scriptures ; 
and ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the 
right hand of the Father ; and shall come 
again with glory to judge the quick and the 
dead ; of whose kingdom there shall be no 
end. 

And we believe in the Holy Ghost, the 
Lord, the Giver of life, who proceedeth from 
the Father and the Son, who with the Father 
and the Son together is worshipped and glo- 
rified, who spake by the Prophets ; in one 
holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. We 
confess one Baptism for the remission of 
sins ; we look for the resurrection of the 
dead, and the Life of the world to come. 
Amen. 



THE ATHANASIAN CREED. 

From the Fifth Century, 

Whosoever will be saved, before all things 
it is necessary that he hold the Catholic 
faith. 

Which faith except every one do keep 
whole and undefiled, without doubt he shall 
perish everlastingly. 



310 PRIMITIVE DEVOTIONAL FORMS. 

And the Catholic faith is this: that we 
worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in 
Unity ; 

Neither confounding the persons, nor di- 
viding the substance. 

For there is one person of the Father, an- 
other of the Son, and another of the Holy 
Ghost. 

But the Godhead of the Father, of the 
Son, and of the Holy Ghost, is all one ; the 
glory equal, the majesty co-eternal. 

Such as the Father is, such is the Son, 
and such is the Holy Ghost. 

The Father uncreated, the Son uncreated, 
and the Holy Ghost uncreated. 

The Father unlimited, the Son unlimited, 
and the Holy Ghost unlimited. 

The Father eternal, the Son eternal, and 
the Holy Ghost eternal. 

And yet not three eternal, but one eternal. 

As also, not three uncreated, nor three 
unlimited ; but one uncreated, and one un- 
limited. 

So likewise the Father is almighty, the 
Son almighty, and the Holy Ghost almighty. 

And yet not three almighty, but one al- 
mighty. 

So the Father is God, the Son is God, and 
the Holy Ghost is God. 



THE ATUANASIAX CREED. 311 

And yet not three Gods, but one God. 

So likewise the Father is Lord, the Son 
Lord, and the Holy Ghost Lord. 

And yet not three Lords, but one Lord. 

For like as we are compelled by the Chris- 
tian verity, to acknowledge each person by 
Himself to be God and Lord ; 

So are we forbidden by the Catholic Reli- 
gion to say : There be three Gods, or three 
Lords. 

The Father is made of none, neither cre- 
ated, nor begotten. 

The Son is of the Father alone, not made, 
nor created, but begotten. 

The Holy Ghost is of the Father and of 
the Son, neither made, nor created, nor be- 
gotten, but proceeding. 

So there is one Father, not three Fathers ; 
one Son, not three Sons ; one Holy Ghost, 
not three Holy Ghosts. 

And in this Trinity there is no before, nor 
after ; no greater, nor less. 

But the whole three persons are co-eternal, 
and co-equal. 

So that in all things, as already said : the 
Unity in Trinity, and the Trinity in Unity, 
is to be worshipped. 

He therefore that will be saved must thus 
think of the Trinity. 



312 PRIMITIVE DEVOTIONAL FORMS. 

Furthermore, it is necessary to everlasting 
salvation, that we also believe truly the In- 
carnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

For the right faith is, that we believe and 
confess, that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son 
of God, is God and man. 

God, of the substance of the Father, be- 
gotten before the worlds ; and man, of the 
substance of his mother, born in the world ; 

Perfect God, and perfect man, of a reason- 
able soul and human flesh subsisting ; 

Equal to the Father, according to His 
Godhead, and inferior to the Father, accord- 
ing to His manhood. 

Who although He be God and man, yet 
He is not two, but one Christ ; 

One, not by conversion of the Godhead 
into flesh, but by assumption of the manhood 
into God ; 

One altogether, not by confusion of sub- 
stance, but by unity of person. 

For as the reasonable soul and flesh is one 
man ; so God and man is one Christ ; 

Who suffered for our salvation, descended 
into Hades, rose again the third day from 
the dead. 

He ascended into heaven. He sitteth at 
the right hand of God the Father Almighty, 



THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. 313 

from thence He shall come to judge the 
quick and the dead. 

At whose coming all men shall rise again 
with their bodies, and shall give account for 
their own works. 

And they that have done good shall go 
into life everlasting, and they that have 
done evil, into everlasting fire. 

This is the Catholic faith, which except a 
man believe truly and firmly, he cannot be 
saved. 

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, 
and to the Holy Ghost ; 

As it was in the beginning, is now, and 
ever shall be, world without end. Amen. 



THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. 

Exodus XX. 1-17. 

And God spake all these words, saying, I 
am the Lord thy God, which have brought 
thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the 
house of bondage. 

Thou shalt have no other gods before Me. 

Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven 
image, or any likeness of anything that is in 
heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, 



314 PRIMITIVE DEVOTIONAL FORMS. 

or that is in the water under the earth: thou 
shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve 
them : for I the Lord thy God am a jealous 
God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon 
the children unto the third and fourth gene- 
ration of them that hate Me ; and showing 
mercy unto thousands of them that love Me, 
and keep My commandments. 

Thou shalfc not take the name of the Lord 
thy God in vain : for the Lord will not hold 
him guiltless that taketh His name in vain. 

Remember the sabbath day, to keep it 
holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all 
thy work : but the seventh day is the sab- 
bath of the Lord thy God : in it thou shalt 
not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy 
daughter, thy man-servant, nor thy maid- 
servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that 
is within thy gates : for in six days the Lord 
made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that 
ia them is, and rested the seventh day: 
wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, 
and hallowed it. 

Honor thy father and thy mother: that 
thy days may be long upon the land which 
the Lord thy God giveth thee. 

Thou shalt not kill. 

Thou shalt not commit adultery. 

Thou shalt not steal. 



THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. 315 

Thou shalt not bear false Tvitness against 
thy neighbor. 

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, 
thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor 
his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor 
his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy 
neighbor's. 

Lord^ have mercy upon us, and incline our 
hearts to keep these laws, through Jesus Christ 
our Saviour. Amen. 

Hear also what our Lord Jesus Christ 
saith : 

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all 
thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with 
all thy mind. This is the first and great 
commandment. And the second is like unto 
it : Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 
On these two commandments hang all the 
law and the prophets. (Matt. xxii. 37-40.) 

COLLECT. 

Lord God, who didst at first deliver Thy 
commandments from the mount which burned 
with fire, amid blackness, and darkness, and 
tempest, at which terrible sight even Moses 
said, I exceedingly fear and quake: we 



316 PRIMITIVE DEVOTIONAL FORMS. 

thank Thee that this same law is now pub- 
lished unto us from Mount Zion, through the 
Mediator of a new and better covenant ; and 
we humbly beseech Thee to put these words 
into our minds, and write them in our hearts, 
that we may delight in Thy law after the 
inward man, and serve Thee in newness of 
spirit, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who 
with Thee and the Holy Ghost liveth and 
reigneth, ever one God, world without end. 
Amen. 



PAKT vni. 



DEVOTIONS IN SICKNESS. 



(317) 



kJ ncd he7ni^Un,a noudc 0/ ciaUf 

S^ncc ioTta to /i'u aic^ay- : 

CJii/eet: /o ieoA i^acA, ana <i^ee ^nu "tta^nc 

C/tc/eei to lacm /otT^a/ca, aTta v^enold 
Stetnat ^oud mu ott/'iz : 

C/t^eet ot c/Hoid /aUn./ulned<i to tottl 

Tr/iode io'u& can ncvc'T' end ; 

C/t{^e€t on tne coi^enant 0/ c/l§^i<} atacc 

^of^ alC tmnad to de/ie7ta : — — 

Ky/iUtcn the dti^eetneii^i} 0/ tne dfzeanif 
7rn<zt 'inO'ii^t tne /ountac7t i^e ! 
eie daint<i a^zd anaeld azatiA tnel'r ^tiii^f 
& .^otd, direct /to??t J/ nee ! 

(318) 



DEVOTIONS IN SICKNESS. 



PKAYERS IN SICKNESS. 

AT THE BEGINNING OF SICKNESS. 

Heavenly Father, who in Thy wisdom 
knowest what is best for me, if it seem good 
in Thy sight, speedily arrest this sickness 
and remove it from me, so that I may em- 
ploy my health to Thy glory, and praise Thy 
name. But if Thou art pleased that it shall 
greatly increase, I willingly submit to Thy 
afflicting hand ; for Thou art wont to chas- 
tise those whom Thou dost love ; and I am 
sure Thou wilt lay no more on me than 
Thou wilt enable me to bear. 

1 know, my God, that Thou sendest this 
sickness on me for my good, even to humble 
and to prove me. 0, grant it may work that 
saving effect in me. 

Lord, create in me a true penitent sorrow 
for all my sins past, a steadfast faith in 
Thee, and sincere resolutions of amendment 
for the time to come. 

(319) 



320 PEVOTTONS IN SICKNESS. 

Deliver me from all forwardness and im- 
patience, and give me an entire resignation 
to Thy divine will. 0, suffer not the disease 
to disturb or take away my senses ; and do 
Thou continually supply me with devout 
and holy thoughts. 

Bless, Lord, all the means that are used 
for my recovery, and restore me to health ; 
but if otherwise Thou hast appointed, Thy 
blessed will be done. 

0, wean my affections from all things be- 
low, and fill me with ardent desires after 
heaven. Lord, fit me for Thyself; and at 
Thine own good time bring me to joys un- 
speakable and full of glory. Grant this, for 
the sake of Thy only Son Jesus, my Saviour. 
Amen. 

FOR ABATEMENT OF PAIN. 

Lord, look upon mine adversit}^ and 
misery, which call aloud to Thee for ease. 
0, most gracious God, my pains are extreme; 
have pity on me, and lighten them. In 
Thine anger, which I have deserved, remem- 
ber mercy, and consider my feebleness and 
frailty. I have waited for Thy relief, 
Father ; give me the comforts of it. show 
me Thy mercy, and speedily, for my need is 
great. Send me seasonable help and strength 



PRAYERS IN SICKNESS. 321 

now, and everlasting rest with Thee in the 
end : through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

THANKSGIVING ON THE ABATEMENT OF PAIN. 

Blessed be Thy mercy, my God, which 
pitieth me in my misery. As a father 
pitieth his children in the extremity of their 
pain, so hast Thou pitied me. Lord, my 
soul shall love Thee, and sing of Thy mercy. 
In my distress I will always trust in Thee, 
and not be afraid ; for Thou art our Strength 
while we suffer, and our merciful Deliverer 
when we can endure no more. To Thee be 
glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

FOR A BLESSING ON THE USE OF MEDICINE. 

MOST blessed and eternal Jesus, the 
great Physician of souls, the Sun of Right- 
eousness arising with healing in Thy wings, 
who disposest all things great and little to 
the glory of God, and the comfort of them 
that love and serve Him ; be pleased to bless 
the ministry of Thy servant in order to mine 
ease and health ; excite his skill, direct his 
judgment, prosper the medicines, and dis- 
pose the changes of my sickness fortunately, 
that I may feel the blessing and loving-kind- 
ness of the Lord in the ease or prevention 
21 



322 DEVOTIONS IN SICKNESS. 

of pain, and the restitution of health ; and 
. being restored to the society of the living, 
and to Thy solemn assemblies, I may praise 
Thee and Thy goodness secretly among the 
faithful, and in the congregation of the re- 
deemed ones, here in the outer courts of the 
Lord, and hereafter in Thine eternal temple 
in heaven. Amen. 

FOR SLEEP. 

RIGHTEOUS Lord, Thou boldest mine 
eyes waking, and in the night season I take 
no rest. I seek sleep, which Thou givest 
Thy beloved, to ease my pains, and recruit 
my spirit: but I find it not. But merciful 
God, let it not always fly away from me ; let 
my wearied eyes at length lay hold of it ; 
and make my sleep sweet to me. Consider 
my weariness, Lord, which calls aloud for 
rest ; and my weakness, which greatly needs 
refreshment. While Thou keepest me awake, 
let me commune with mine own heart, and 
search out mine own spirit : let me remem- 
ber Thee on my bed, and meditate on Thee 
in the night watches : let the consideration 
of Thy tender mercies be mj comfort, till 
Thy goodness sees fit to give sleep to my eyes, 
and refreshment to my sorrows : through our 
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. 



SHORT PRAYERS FOR THE SICK. 323 



SHORT PRAYERS TO BE USED BY 
THE SICK. 

God, the. Father, who knowest our feeble 
frame, and who hast such pity toward us as 
an earthly parent has for his child: 

Have mercy on me, 

O God the Son, who didst Thyself take our 
infirmities and bear our sicknesses : 
Have mercy on me, 

God, the Holy Ghost, the Lord, and 
Giver of life, the Comforter of the Sorrowful: 
Have mercy on Trie, 

Let the sighing of the sick come up before 
Thee, Lord ; and hear Thou my cry. 

Heal my soul, for I have sinned against 
Thee. 

Let Thy merciful kindness, Lord, be 
upon me, as my trust is in Thee. 

Thou, who camest in humility to save 
me ; come now graciously to deliver me. 

Smite, as seemeth good to Thee, my health 
and my life ; but sustain me under Thine 
afflicting hand. 

Cast me not off in the midst of my sins, 
nor suffer me to die in impenitence. 



324 DEVOTIONS IN SICKNESS. 

Make me, Lord, ready for Thyself; that 
whether I pass from life to death, or from 
death to life, I may dwell with Thee in peace. 

Chasten and correct me, Lord ; but give 
me not over unto death. For Thou art the 
Hope of the afflicted, the rest of those who 
are weary and heavy laden. 

Thou canst illumine the shadow of death 
into the light of life ; and turn the gloom of 
the grave into the glorious morning of the 
resurrection. 

Help me, Lord, to submit to Thy will, 
to fear Thy judgments, to hope in Thy mer- 
cies, and to rest in Thy gracious promises, 
in sickness and in health, in life and in 
death ; through the blessed merits and the 
glorious mediation of Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

II. 

Out of the depths I cry unto Thee, Lord. 

Lord, hear my voice: let Thine ears be 
attentive to the voice of my supplications. 

If Thou, Lord, shouldst mark iniquities, 
Lord, who shall stand? but there is for- 
giveness with Thee, that Thou mayest be 
feared. 

I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, 
and in His word do I hope. 

Lord, in Thee is my hope ; for with Thee 



SHORT PRAYERS FOR THE SICK. 325 

there is mercy, and plenteous redemption. 
Thou shalt redeem me from all mine iniqui- 
ties, and deliver me from all my afflictions. 

Show me the light of Thy countenance, 
and let Thy peace be upon me. 

Thou, Lord, art my Refuge, a very pre- 
sent help in trouble. 

Though I walk through the valley of the 
shadow of death, I will fear no evil ; 

For Thou art with me ; Thy rod and Thy 
staff they comfort me. 

III. 

O God the Father, who hast created me, 
preserve and keep me. 

O God the Son, who hast redeemed me, 
help and strengthen me. 

O God the Holy Ghost, who dost sanctify 
me, assist and defend me. 

God, the holy Trinity, Creator, Re- 
deemer, and Sanctifier, the only living and 
true God, grant me Thy love, grace, and fel- 
lowship ; that I may safely pass the waves 
of this troublesome world, and come to the 
land of everlasting life, there to join with 
all those who have come through much tri- 
bulation, and washed their robes in the blood 
of the Lamb, in giving unto Thee all honor 
and worship, world without end. Amen. 



326 DEVOTIONS IN SICKNESS. 

FOR SUPPORT IN SICKNESS. 

Father of mercies, the God of peace and 
comfort, of rest and pardon, grant me, Thy 
servant, patience in my sickness, comfort in 
my sorrows, and restore me to health, if it 
seem good unto Thee. But if it be Thy will 
to call me hence, receive my soul into Thine 
everlasting rest ; or if it be Thy will to spare 
me, give me grace to amend my life, to the 
glory of Thy name : through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 

ON GOING TO SLEEP. 

Into Thy hands, most blessed Jesus, I com- 
mend my soul and body, which Thou hast 
redeemed with Thy most precious blood. 

Let Thy holy angels be present with me. 

So bless and sanctify my sleep, that it 
may be sweet and refreshing to my wearied 
body, and an interval of repose to my sad 
and anxious mind. 

O let me never sleep in sin, or death eter- 
nal ; but give me a watchful spirit, that^ 
whether I wake or sleep, live or die, I may 
be Thy child and servant. 

And grant, Lord, that when the work 
and the suflPerings of this life are ended, I 
may rest in Thy bosom, till by the voice of 



LITANY FOR THE SICK. 327 

the archangel, and the trump of God, I shall 
awake in Thy likeness, and be numbered 
with Thy saints in glory everlasting : through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



A LITANY FOR THE SICK. 

God, the Father, Creator of the world ; 
Have mercy upon me. 

God, the Son, Redeemer of mankind ; 
Have mercy upon me. 

God, the Holy Ghost, Sanctifier, Com- 
forter, and Perfecter of the saints ; 
Have mercy upon me. 

Holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity ; 
Have mercy upon me. 

Father of mercies, and God of all con- 
solation, who dost comfort us in all our tribu- 
lations, and sufferest us not to be afflicted 
above that we are able to bear, and who 
always grantest to Thine own a happy issue 
out of their afflictions, either by a restora- 
tion to this life, or a removal to the better 
life to come ; 

Have mercy upo7i me. 



328 DEVOTIONS IN SICKNESS. 

Thou, who chastisest and scourgest those 
whom Thou lovest ; who judgest and cor- 
rectest ua with weakness and sickness, that 
we may not be condemned with the world ; 

Have mercy upon me. 

Thou, who didst breathe into man the 
breath of life, and delightest not in the 
destruction of the living ; 

Have "inercy upon me. 

Thou who makest sore and bindest up, 
who woundest and makest whole, who bring- 
est down to the grave and raisest up, who 
deliverest Thy servants in six troubles, and 
in seven lettest no evil touch them ; 

Have mercy upon me. 

Thou, who in answer to the prayers of 
Thy prophets Elijah and Elisha, didst restore 
the dead to life, and heal the leprosy of Naa- 
man ; who didst deliver Hezekiah from death, 
when he wept and cried unto Thee ; and 
didst restore Job out of all his afflictions ; 

Have mercy upon me. 

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living 
God, who wast sent to heal the broken in 
heart ; to preach liberty to the captives, and 
comfort to all that mourn ; who tookest upon 
Thee our infirmities, and barest our sick- 



A LITANY FOR THE SICK. 329 

nesses ; who wentest about doing good, and 
healing all that were sick and oppressed ; by 
whose power the blind received their sight, 
the lame walked, the lepers were cleansed, 
and the dead raised ; 

Have mercy upon me, and deliver me. 

Thou, who restoredst the woman who had 
been bowed down eighteen years, who curedst 
the centurion's servant, and the daughter of 
the woman of Canaan, having respect to her 
faith ; 

Have mercy upon me, and lieal me. 

Thou, who in Thine agony didst sweat 
great drops of blood ; who, though praying 
that the cup might pass from Thee, didst 
still submit to Thy Father's will ; and iu 
dying didst commend Thy Spirit into His 
hands ; who, by Thy death, didst destroy 
him who had the power of death ; and who, 
by Thy resurrection, didst give us a lively 
hope of rising from the dead ; 

Have mercy upon me, and help me, 

II. 

Lamb of God, that takest away the sin 
of the world, have mercy upon me. 
Lord, deliver me. 



330 DEYOTIONS IN SICKNESS. 

From the guilt and burden of my sins, and 
from the deceits and assaults of the Devil ; 
Lord, deliver me. 

From all impatience, and murmuring 
against Thy will and Providence; from all 
weakness of mind ; from all distrust and 
despair of Thy mercy ; from the fear of 
death, and too anxious a desire of life ; 

Lord, deliver me. 

From undue care about things temporal, 
and neglect of those which are eternal ; and 
from such grievous pain and agony as would 
draw my mind from Thee ; 

O Lord, deliver me. 

From Thy wrath ; from the terrible sen- 
tence of the great day ; from the gates of 
hell, and the power of darkness ; and from 
the bitter pains of eternal death ; 

O Lord, deliver me. 

By the infinite mercies of God the Father; 
by the infinite merits of God the Son ; by 
the boundless grace and consolation of God 
the Holy Ghost ; 

Lord, deliver me. 

By the pains of death, blessed Jesus, 
which encompassed Thee in the garden ; by 



A LITANY FOR THE SICK. 331 

Thine agony and bloody sweat; by Thine 
anguish on the Cross ; 
Lord, deliver me. 

By Thy powerful resurrection, and glo- 
rious ascension ; by Thy gracious and pre- 
vailing intercession : in the time of pain and 
sorrow, in the hour of death, and in the day 
of judgment ; 

Lord, deliver me, 

III. 

I, a poor sinner, beseech Thee to hear me, 
Lord: 

That Thou wouldst not enter into judg- 
ment with Thy servant ; for in Thy sight 
can no man living be justified ; 

1 beseech Thee to hear me, Lord, 

That being made whole by Thy gi'ace, 
from my disease, I may sin no more, lest a 
worse thing come upon me ; 

/ beseech Thee to hear me, Lord, 

That being delivered from my present 
affliction ; and from the hands of all my 
spiritual enemies, I may serve Thee without 
sadness or fear, in holiness and righteous- 
ness all the days of my life ; 

I beseech Thee to hear me, Jjord, 



332 DEVOTIONS IN SICKNESS. 

That always knowing the uncertainty of 
the time of my death, and the certainty of 
Thy Judgment, I may set my house in order, 
and be ever ready for Thy coming ; 

I beseech Thee to hear me, Lord, 

That, when and howsoever it may please 
Thee to dispose of me, either for life or for 
death, I may cheerfully submit myself to 
Thy most holy will, so that for me to live 
may be Christ, and to die gain ; 

I beseech Thee to hear me, Lord. 

That, according to the multitude of my 
sorrows Thy comforts may delight my soul ; 
and that as the sufferings of Christ abound 
in me, so from Him also may be my conso- 
lation ; 

I beseech Thee to hear me, Lord. 

That these light afflictions, which are but 
for a moment, may work out for me a far 
more exceeding and eternal weight of glory ; 

I beseech Thee to hear me, O Lord. 

That, whether I live, I may live unto the 
Lord, or whether I die, I may die unto the 
Lord; that Christ may be glorified in my 
body and in my soul ; and that neither life 
nor death, nor principalities nor powers, 
nor things present nor things to come, may 



A LITANY FOR THE SICK. 333 

be able to separate me from Christ Jesus my 
Lord ; 

I beseech Thee to hear me, Lord. 

That, the earthly house of this tabernacle 
being dissolved, I may have a building of 
God, an house not made with hands, eternal 
in the heavens; and that walking in the 
midst of the shadow of death, I may fear no 
evil, because Thou art with me ; 

I beseech Thee to hear me, Lord, 

Saviour of the world, who, by Thy 
Cross and precious blood, hast redeemed 
me, save me, and keep me, now and for 
ever. Amen. 

Almighty God, who art the joy of all 
them that put their trust in Thee, Restorer 
of the lost, Comforter of the desolate. Helper 
of the helpless. Healer of the sick, into Thy 
hands I commend my body and my soul ; 
let me live to serve Thee, or let me die in 
Thy peace ; through the comforts of the 
Holy Ghost, and the merits and mediation 
of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



334 DEVOTIONS IN SICKNESS. 



LITANY HYMN. 

Saviour, when in dust to Thee 
Low we bow th« adoring knee ; 
When repentant, to the skies 
Scarce we lift our streaming eyes; 
0, by all Thy pain and woe, 
Suffered once for man below, 
Bending from Thy throne on high, 
Hear our solemn Litany. 

By Thy bh*th and early years, 
By Thy human griefs and fears, 
By Thy fasting and distress 
In the lonely wilderness, 
By Thy victory in the hour 
Of the subtle tempter's power; 
Jesus look with pitying eye, 
Hear our solemn Litany. 

By Thine hour of dark despair. 

By Thine agony of prayer, 

By the purple robe of scorn, 

By Thy wounds, Thy crown of thorn, 

By Thy Cross, Thy pangs, and cries, 

By Thy perfect sacrifice; 

Jesus, look with pitying eye. 

Hear our solemn Litany. 

By Thy deep expiring groan. 
By the sealed sepulchral stone, 
By Thy triumph o'er the grave, 
By Thy power from death to save 
Mighty God, ascended Lord, 
To Thy throne in heaven restored, 
Prince and Saviour, hear our cry, 
Hear our solemn Litany. 



THANKSGIVING. 335 



THANKSGIVma AFTER RECOVERY 
FROM SICKNESS. 

Most gracious and merciful God, to whom 
alone belong the issues of life and death, I 
Thy unworthy servant, who have been under 
Thine afflicting hand, and am raised again 
from the bed of sickness, do here present 
myself before Thee, in a thankful sense of 
Thy great mercy and goodness toward me. 
Blessed be Thy holy Name, for supporting 
me under the pain and anguish of my sick 
bed, for the seasonable supplies of patience 
and comfort which Thou didst graciously 
afford me, and for restoring me in Thy good 
time to the blessings of health and strength. 

I adore the riches of Thy love, in giving 
me a right knowledge of Thee and Thy 
ways in these Thy dispensations to me, and 
in making them the happy means to bring 
me to a sense of the evil of my doings, and 
to a serious consideration of my future state. 
Before I was afflicted, I went astray ; I for- 
got my duty to Thee, and followed the 
imaginations of my own heart ; my thoughts 
were taken up with business and entertain- 



336 DEYOTIONS IN SICKNESS. 

ments of this world, and the care of my 
soul was too often neglected and forgotten. 
But Thy chastisements, merciful Lord, 
have brought me back into the right way ; 
and now, to my great comfort and happi- 
ness, my affections are placed upon things 
above, and the things that concern my ever- 
lasting salvation. 

To Thee, my God, who hast not cut me 
off in the midst of my sins, but hast in great 
mercy given me space for repentance and 
amendment : to Thee will I live in holiness 
and righteousness all my days ; forsaking 
every evil way, and studying above all 
things to do that which is well-pleasing in 
Thy sight. 

In a sense of my own weakness and 
frailty, I earnestly implore the aid of Thy 
Holy Spirit, to subdue all unholy desires, 
to break the power of evil habits, and to 
keep me steadfast in every promise and re- 
solution that I made before Thee in the day 
of my distress ; all which I do now, in Thy 
presence, most sincerely and heartily renew. 
Let me never, I beseech Thee, be drawn to 
forget or neglect them, either by the cares 
and pleasures of this world, or by the hopes 
of a long continuance in it; but give me 
grace always to make eternity my chief care 



A LITANY FOR THE DYING. 337 

and concern ; and let Thy late warnings of 
mortality teach me the uncertainty of my 
abode upon earth, and oblige me to live in a 
daily preparation to die. That so, having 
duly profited by Thy fatherly chastisements, 
and employing the remainder of my days to 
Thy glory, and the salvation of my own 
soul, I may be found watching whenever 
my appointed time shall come, and thus be 
ready to exchange this frail state of mor- 
tality for an immortal crown. All which I 
humbly beg of Thee, through the merits and 
mediation of Jesus Christ, my blessed Sa- 
viour and Redeemer. Amen. 



A LITANY FOR THE DYING. 

God, the Father in heaven ; have mercy 
upon us. 

Have mercy upon us. 

God, the Son, Redeemer of the world ; 
have mercy upon us. 
Have mercy upon us, 

God, the Holy Ghost, the Comforter; 
have mercy upon us. 
Have mercy upon us, 

22 



338 DEVOTIONS IN SICKNESS. 

Lord Jesus Christ, who, in the days of 
Thy flesh, didst rebuke disease and heal the 
sick, who hast still all power in heaven and 
in earth, and hast promised to be with us 
always even to the end of the world, merci- 
fully hear our prayers, and spare us, good 
Lord; spare Thy sei^vant (handmaiden) be- 
fore Thee, whom Thou hast redeemed with 
Thy precious blood. 

Spare him, good Lord, 

From all evil ; 

From all sin ; 

From Thy wrath ; 

From the pains and bands of death ; 

From the craft, deceit, and power of the 
devil ; 

From all fear and distress ; 

From faint-heartedness and despair ; 

From Thy wrath, and from everlasting 
damnation ; 

Good Lord, deliver him. 

By the mystery of Thy holy Incarnation ; 
By Thine agony and bloody sweat ; 
By Thy cross and passion ; 
By Thy precious death and burial ; 
By Thy glorious resurrection and ascen- 
sion ; 
And by the coming of the Holy Ghost ; 



A LITANY FOR THE DYING. 339 

In the hour of death, and in the day of 
judgment; 

Good Lord, deliver him. 

We poor sinners do beseech Thee to hear 
us. 

Son of God^ we beseech Thee to Jiear us. 

That it may please Thee to uphold and 
console him with Thy free Spirit ; 

To grant him true repentance ; 

To forgive him all his sins ; 

To strengthen and confirm hiiTi in Thy 
grace ; 

To inflame his heart with heavenly desires ; 

To grant him the ministry of Thy holy 
angels ; 

And to beat down Satan under his feet ; 

We beseech Thee to hear us, O Lord. 

O Son of God, Redeemer of the world 
Hear us. 

O Lamb of God, that takest away the sin 
of the world ; 

Have mercy upon him. 

Lamb of God, that takest away the sin 
of the world ; 

Grant him Thy peace. 

O Lord God, our heavenly Father, who hast 



340 DEYOTIOXS IN SICKNESS. 

no pleasure in the death of sinners, bnt wilt 
rather that they return unto Thee and live; 
Tve humbly beseech Thee to regard this sick 
person in Thy great compassion ; suffer liim. 
not to be overwhelmed by any pains of body, 
or any anguish of soul ; but grant unto Mm 
in this world Thy pardon and peace, and in 
the world to come life everlasting, through 
the abounding merits and the glorious medi- 
ation of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Almighty and everlasting God, the Com- 
forter of the sad, the Strength of sufferers, 
let the prayers of those that cry out of any 
tribulation come unto Thee; that all may 
rejoice to find that Thy mercy is present 
with them in their afflictions: through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 



A PRAYER FOR A SICK PERSON WHO 
HAS NOT BEFORE MADE PREPARA- 
TION FOR DEATH. 

Lord Jesus, who didst grant pardon and 
promise of Paradise to the thief upon the 
cross in his dying agonies, who canst be ap- 
proached by poor penitent sinners even at 
the eleventh hour, and who hast assured us 



PRAYER FOR ONE UNPREPARED. 341 

in Thy holy Word that the prayer of faith 
shall save the sick, and if he have committed 
sins they shall be forgiven him ; we humbly 
beseech Thee to have mercy upon Mm whom 
Thou hast here brought nigh unto the gates 
of death. Thou didst weep over sinners on 
Mount Olivet, and hast still the same tender 
and merciful heart ; bathe his soul in 
Thine own sacred tears. 

Thou didst sweat, as it were, great drops 
of blood in Gethsemane for us, for all sin- 
ners ; let those agonies of Thine own soul 
avail for him ; let those Thine exceeding 
sorrows be a fountain of comfort to him. 

Thou didst taste the gall upon the cross, 
that poor sinners might drink the cup of 
salvation, let that water of life now satisfy 
his thirsty, fainting soul. 

Thou didst pray for Thine enemies even 
while they crucified Thee ; let Thy power- 
ful intercessions also prevail for this longing 
soul, now that Thou hast entered into Thy 
glory. 

Yea, Lord Jesus, Thou didst receive the 
penitent thief in his last moments ; cast 
not him away whom we now lay upon Thy 
all-merciful heart; let/u'm not be reprobate; 
take not Thy Holy Spirit from Jiim. 

Let those arms which on the cross were 



342 DEVOTIONS IN SICKNESS. 

extended towards the whole world, be now 
extended to him; let that sacred head, which 
bowed in death for ail men, now bend in 
pardoning love toward Mm ; let the words. 
It is finished, be spoken of his salvation ; let 
the words. Into Thy hands I commend my 
spirit, be fulfilled for him. Lord Jesus, re- 
ceive his spirit, and grant him a place among 
those who were once Thy murderers, but are 
now the redeemed trophies of Thy bitter 
death and precious blood. 

Thou didst not hide Thy face from the 
spit, and the stroke, and the scourge, and 
derision of Thine enemies ; hide it not 
from his earnest prayers, and imploring look 
of penitential anguish. 

Thy blood can save to the uttermost all 
who come unto God by Thee ; and him that 
cometh to Thee, Thou wilt in no wise cast 
out. Yet once more we lay him upon the 
bosom of that love which embraced a world 
of sinners ; and commend him to the Father 
who created Aim, to the Son who redeemed 
him, and to the Holy Ghost who sanctifies, 
the adorable and glorious Trinity, ever one 
God, world without end. Amen. 

Our Father, etc. 



PRAYER FOR ONE PREPARED. 343 



PRAYER WHEN THERE IS NO HOPE 
OF RECOVERY IN THE CASE OF 
ONE PREPARED. 

Lord Jesus, who alone art the Way, the 
Truth, and the Life ; we heartily beseech 
Thee to open wide the door of salvation, and 
show the path of life to Thy dying servant^ 
and speedily redeem him from the tempta- 
tions of sin, and from the craft and power 
of Satan. Help and guide him, Lord, 
that he may neither err nor be lost in the 
dark valley and shadow of death. As the 
true Shepherd, take charge of Thy lost 
sheep. Let Thy word shine in his heart ; 
stand by hini in the time of his need ; show 
him Thy salvation, and suffer him not to fall 
from the comfort of the true faith ; receive 
Ms spirit, and quicken it by Thy grace ; let 
no doubt nor sorrow come nigh to distress 
Mm ; let a living faith strengthen him^ let a 
joyful hope cheer Mm, and let a holy love, 
even Thy love. Lord Jesus, bear hiin into 
the peace, and rest, and joy of Thine eternal 
kingdom. 

Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart 
in peace, according to Thy word ; for his 
eyes have seen Thy salvation. Amen. 



344 DEVOTIONS IN SICKNESS. 



OH A HOLY AND HAPPY DEATH. 

ETERNAL and holy Jesus, who by death 
hast overcome death, and by Thy passion 
hast taken away its sting, and made it the 
gate of heaven, and an entrance to felicity ; 
have mercy upon me now, and at the hour 
of my death. Let Thy grace accompany me 
all the days of my life, that, by a holy con- 
versation, and a habitual performance of my 
duty, I may wait for the coming of my Lord, 
and be ready to enter in with Thee, at what- 
ever hour Thou shalt come. Lord, let not 
my death be in any sense unprovided, un- 
timely, or hasty. Let my sense and under- 
standing be preserved entire to the last of 
my days ; and grant that I may die the death 
of the righteous, and my last end be like 
his. Preserve me ever in the communion 
and peace of Thy Church ; and bless my 
death-bed with a holy spiritual guide, with 
the assistance and guard of Thy holy angels, 
with a strong faith, a firm and humble hope, 
a sincere repentance, a perfect charity, and 
above all with the presence of Thy loving 
kindness, which is better than life ; that my 
soul may rest in Thee, and by Thee be gra- 
ciously received into Thy glorious kingdom, 



BENEDICTIONS. 345 

Lord Jesus : to whom, with the Father, and 
the Holy Ghost, be all honor and glory, 
world without end. Amen. 



BENEDICTION FOR DEPARTING 
SOULS. 



Depart in peace, thou blessed soul, in the 
name of the Father, who hath so gloriously 
made thee in His own image : 

Depart, in the name of God the Son, who by 
His sufferings and death hath redeemed thee : 

Depart, in the name of God the Holy 
Ghost, who hath prepared and sanctified 
thee to be His own temple. 

May the gracious and merciful God, who 
caused poor Lazarus to be carried into 
Abraham's bosom, and took the malefactor 
from the cross into His Paradise, preserve 
thee, through the bitter sufferings of His 
dear Son, Jesus Christ our Lord and Sa- 
viour ; and by His beloved angels lead thee 
into the eternal home and rest of the saints, 
there to dwell, with all the ransomed, in 
everlasting joy and felicity. To which happy 
inheritance may we all come, after this vain 
and restless life, through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 



346 DEVOTIONS IN SICKNESS. 

11. 
THIS MAY BE USED FOR AN ADULT, OR FOR A CHILD. 

Depart in peace, thou blessed soul, from 
this world of misery and sin ; depart, beyond 
the reach of temptation, beyond the power of 
Satan or of sin : in the name of the Father who 
created thee ; in the name of Jesus Christ, 
the Son of the living God, who died for thee : 
in the name of the Holy Ghost, the Comforter, 
who sanctifieth and preserveth thee. 

May the angels, which minister to the 
heirs of salvation, attend around thee ; the 
glorious company of apostles and the goodly 
fellowship of prophets receive thee ; may the 
noble army of martyrs, the triumphant band 
of confessors, the multitude of saints which 
have gone before, welcome thee to thy rest: 
wherein thou shalt rejoice in hope of that 
blessed resurrection, in the which, with all 
the redeemed of God, thou shalt receive 
again thy body made like unto Christ's glo- 
rious body, and shalt have Thy perfect con- 
Bummation and bliss in the kingdom of 
eternal joy. 

With whom, merciful Father, Thou 
Judge Eternal, do Thou grant unto us also 
who remain to have our part, abiding in Thy 
fear and love, and patiently abounding in 
our work, until our change come, through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. 



PART IX. 



THOUGHTS FOE YOUNG CHURCH 
MEMBERS. 



(347) 



S^'ncC, oh ! m a/U'7'^ yeatdf 

C/liiC d-naiC mal ncly ^ow, 
S^de vteairied i;o S^eaveUf 

t,/my neaii ^ k/ nee iie aii^en. 



(348) 



THOUGHTS 



YOUKa CHURCH MEMBERS. 



YOUR RELATION TO THE CHURCH. 

The relation ivhich you sustain to the 
Church is very solemn and interesting. It 
ought to be well understood, and carefully 
borne in mind. To be careless and indif- 
ferent in regard to this matter is to show 
that you are not truly in earnest on the sub- 
ject of religion. 

True piety and indifference to the Church 
can never go together. We may as well 
pretend that a child can love father and mo- 
ther, and yet care nothing for the family, a3 
to suppose that a person can love Christ and 
be indifferent to the Church, which is Ilis 
family — a family of which every member 
of the Church is a part. "VYe cannot honor 

(349) 



350 THOUGHTS FOR YOUNG MEMBERS. 

Him, as the Bridegroom, while we disrespect 
His Church, which is His Bride. 

Look around you and see whether earnest 
piety and love to the Church do not always 
go together. Are not all those whose piety 
is most deep, intelligent, and steady, also dili- 
gent as members of the Church? As cer- 
tainly as apples grow and ripen on the trees, 
so surely do good Christians grow and ripen 
in the Church. The degree of our devotion 
to the Church, when it is sincere, may 
safely be taken as the measure of our piety. 

The relation between the Church and its 
members is, in an important sense, mutual. 
The Church sustains Christians, but Chris- 
tians must also sustain the Church. The 
family supports the children, but the chil- 
dren also sustain the family. To be sus- 
tained by the Church is a great privilege ; 
to sustain the Church is a most solemn duty. 

Both these sides of the relation are set 
forth in the holy Scriptures. The Church 
sustains us — as a mother her children — as 
a vineyard, field, or garden, the things 
which grow in them — as a vine its branches 
— as a body its members — as a kingdom 
its subjects. To be thus sustained, what a 
great privilege ! 

Then, too, we sustain the Church. ** Seek 



0UT\7ARD CONCERNS OF THE CHURCH. 351 

that ye excel to the edifying of the Church." 
We sustain it by our labors, we honor it by 
our piety. We extend it by our zeal. Its 
interests are in many ways solemnly com- 
mitted to us. We are called upon to build 
it up — to pray for its peace — to prepare 
its way — to edify its members — to advance 
its interests and its honor. To sustain it 
thus, what a solemn duty ! 

As you have vowed, by the grace of God, 
to be a true Christian, resolve also by His 
help to live and labor as a good member of 
the Church. We will now point out to you 
some matters which claim your serious at- 
tention as a church member. 

II. 

THE OUTWARD CONCERNS OF THE CHURCH. 

We begin with the least, or the more out- 
ward, of your duties — that which pertains 
to the house in which you worship. It is 
your duty to aid in keeping all that pertains 
to it in convenient and respectable order. 

If you are an earnest Christian, and a 
good church member, you will have an eye 
on the outward condition of the church. You 
will desire to worship in a decent and re- 
spectable sanctuary. Anything unfinished, 



352 THOUGHTS FOR YOUNG MEMBERS. 

neglected, and out of order about it, will 
distress you. You will labor to have every- 
thing in order, neat, and convenient. The 
finish and the furniture of the church you 
will wish to have chaste, neat, tasty, appro- 
priate, and solemn, and you will do your 
part to have it so. 

Even a good house-woman feels uncom- 
fortable when the affairs of the house are out 
of place. A good mechanic is distressed 
when his place of work is out of order. A 
good farDier is uneasy while any derange- 
ment of affairs exists on his farm, and about 
his buildings. Much more will a good 
church member be restless and unhappy, 
while neglect and disorder reign around the 
church where he worships. 

Let not such outward matters be regarded 
as small and unimportant. The outward 
affairs of the church are what the body is to 
the man. A sound and clean soul demands 
a sound and cleanly body. Say not that the 
soul need not care for a sore hand, a lame 
foot, a bleared e3-e, a crooked, crippled, 
bruised, and blemished body. In like man- 
ner say not that a pious congregation need 
not be distressed about broken fences and 
gates, an unpainted church, a leaking roof, 
a rickety steeple, broken window-panes, a 



ATTENDANCE ON THE ORDINANCES. 353 

dusty floor, worn-out altar carpets and pulpit 
cushions, soiled Bible and Hymn-book. Out- 
ward things are important in their place, 
and they do affect a congregation — for good 
if kept in order, for evil if neglected. 

The more you reflect on it, the more clearly 
will you see that the interests of religion are 
crippled and hindered by disorder and neg- 
lect in the outward concerns of a church. 
These defects may seem small matters, and 
wholly dissociated from what is inward and 
spiritual ; but the earnest church member 
will easily see that they are evils which, for 
the honor of religion, he ought not willingly 
permit to exist. He will always be ready to 
do his part toward keeping the church in 
which he worships in pleasant order, to 
make it a place to be desired, and a suitable 
abode for the high and lofty One who con- 
descends to dwell among men in an earthly 
sanctuary. 

III. 

ATTENDANCE ON THE ORDINANCES OF THE 
CHURCH. 

From these outward matters we pass to 
the more inward. It is the duty of a mem- 
ber of the Church to honor the ordinances 
and services of the Church. 
23 



354 THOUGHTS FOR YOUNG MEMBERS. 

You will, of course, attend upon the ser- 
vices of the sanctuary, as far as in you lies ; 
for, if you are possessed of the right spirit, 
you will be attracted by them, and find in 
them your life, strength, and joy. As the 
child to the mother, so cling to the ordinances 
of the Church. As the bird in the twig, so 
rest in them. As the plant in the soil, so 
grow in them. As the members in the body, 
so live, act, and be strong in them. 

Learn to regard the ordinances of God^s 
house as truly means of grace — -helps for 
growth in the Christian life, with which you 
cannot dispense. As natural food is neces- 
sary to sustain the temporal life, so is the 
food of the sanctuary necessary to the growth 
of spiritual life. The means of grace in the 
Church are not merely conveniences which 
may be used, but they are necessities which 
musthQ used. The use of them is not merely 
a way to grow in grace, but it is the way- — 
the way divinely appointed ; and only those 
who obey have a right to hope for the bless- 
ing which God is pleased to convey in the 
use of them. 

Resolve in your own mind, by the help of 
God, to attend regularly. As it is necessary 
to the enjoyment of health and strength to 
eat regularly, to sleep regularly, and to be 



ATTENDANCE ON THE ORDINANCES. 355 

regular in all our habits, so it is necessary 
to a regular, healthy groAvth in the Christian 
life, to enjoy regularl}^ the means of grace. 
The person who loses his appetite for food is 
not well ; so the one who loses his taste for 
the ordinances of God's house, is not spirit- 
ually in good health. 

Kemember that the way of neglect is from 
bad to worse. When you miss once without 
an adequate cause, it will be easier for you 
to fail again. The soldier who has once re- 
treated, can never rally again with the same 
courage; so, if you fail once through neg- 
lect, you are weaker than you were before. 
The downward way is easiest, and your 
speed increases as you go. Ask backsliders, 
and they will tell you that they began their 
backward way b}^ becoming irregular in 
their duties. You must never find out that 
it is possible for you to fail in a single in- 
stance in this duty. You must not think of 
it. You must resolutely treat it as something 
which cannot be. 0, let me intreat you, 
never learn the dreadful secret that you can 
disobey and be unfaithful to your solemn 
vows. 

Be hardy. Do not too much fear bad 
weather. How pleasant to you will be the 
warm sanctuary, when you have passed 



356 THOUGHTS FOR YOUNG MEMBERS. 

through the cold storm ! How refreshing to 
you will be the cool sanctuary, when you 
have reached it through the hot sun ! Be- 
sides the benefit you will derive from the 
services, how delightful will be the after- 
reflection of duty well and faithfully done ! 
The pastor, who has often further to come, 
and who is perhaps less inured to the cold 
or the heat than yourself, will be there ; why 
cannot you be there to cheer his heart, and 
to encourage him for his self-denial and ex- 
posure? Moreover, think whether you are 
not often out on worldly business in worse 
weather. If you can endure hardness for 
perishable and earthly things, can ye not do 
it for that which is imperishable and hea- 
venly ? 

Let not the excuse that you do not feel 
well too easily prevail with you. It may be 
a mere temptation to keep you away. You 
may feel just as badly if you remain away, 
as if you go. Instead of nursing the indis- 
position by a brooding spirit, master it by 
turning your attention to the high concerns 
of the spirit. If it is mere morbid feeling, 
as it often is, the best place to lose it is on 
the way to the sanctuary. Be assured, too, 
that religious duty is good for the body as 
well as the soul. The best place to rest a 



HONORING THE CHURCH. 357 

weary body, and to forget light afflictions, is 
to force the dull body and the brooding spirit 
into the service of religion, and to seek re- 
freshment for both in the green pastures and 
beside the still waters of grace. 

Be mindful, too, of the fact that your ex- 
ample, whether good or bad, will influence 
others. Your regular attendance will silently 
draw others after you, and your absence will 
do much toward keeping others away. 

Let me beseech you to lay these thoughts 
to heart. See that you do not lack in out- 
ward, as well as inward respect for the house 
of God. Enter the church reverently. Sit, 
stand, and kneel in it solemnly. Listen 
attentively. Sing heartily. Pray devoutly. 
Go to the holy communion humbly. Endea- 
vor, in all your acts of worship, to realize 
that the Lord is in His holy temple, and that 
all the earth should keep a respectful silence 
before Him. 

IV. 

HONORING THE CHURCH BEFORE THE WORLD. 

As a good member of the Church, you 
will seek to honor it in all your intercourse 
with those that are without. 

You will, of course, endeavor not to dis- 



358 THOUGHTS FOR YOUNG MElfBERS. 

honor it by any -wrong conduct. You will 
feel that you are its representative, and that 
the world will judge of it by your acts, even 
as a family is judged from the conduct of 
the children that belong to it. 

But you will do more than this. You will 
speak well of it whenever occasion offers. 

It is an easy thing even for a member of 
the Church to find things in the Church 
which are not as they ought to be, or as he 
may desire them to be. It is an easy thing 
to find fault, and to open the wounds of the 
Church to the gaze of the world. There are 
those who find it much easier to whisper the 
defects of the Church to the wicked, than to 
cover them by the mantle of charity. There 
are those who find it more pleasant to pub- 
lish the weaknesses of the Church upon the 
housetops, than to weep over them in silence 
and in secret. 

There are persons found standing in the 
Church as members, who resemble those 
birds which soar and wing their way over 
all the beauties of a landscape, admiring no 
lovely tree, no fragrant flower, no graceful 
stream, no golden field, but eagerly light at 
last to gloat upon a horrid carcass ! So there 
are men who pass over a thousand things in 
the Church which they might praise to 



HONORING THE CHURCH. 359 

others, to feed their morbid spirits on some 
weakness and blemish. Like the dragon- 
fly, they love sores, and on them will they 
feed ! Be not you like unto them. 

As a good Church member, you will weep 
and pray in silence over all the blemishes of 
the Church, and speak publicly of all its 
excellences. In this way will you do it just- 
ice, and commend it to all. 

Let not this be regarded as a small thing. 
Take any individual, however good he may 
be, and speak always and only of his faults, 
and you will soon render him odious as far 
as your words are believed. But let his 
faults charitably alone, and speak of his 
excellences, and you prepare the hearts of 
others to respect him. So, speak only of the 
evil which exists in the Church, and you en- 
courage others to dishonor it ; speak only 
well, and you incite others to respect and 
love it. There are always weak and waver- 
ing persons, who need to be regulated and 
confirmed in their attachment to the Church 
by your decided words of praise and encou- 
ragement. Ye that are strong ought to sup- 
port the weak. This you can do by your 
words, as well as by your actions. 

Be careful of your words — especially when 
you speak of the Church, and of things 



360 THOUGHTS FOR YOUNG MEMBERS. 

sacred. Beware that your words, though 
true as you utter them, become not a lie in 
the mouth of others. In regard to the evils 
existing in the Church, adopt the rule of the 
Psalmist: "I will keep my mouth with a 
bridle, while the wicked is before me.'' 

Always take the part of the Church, as 
you would of a dear friend when he is as- 
sailed. Give not food to the prejudices of 
the world against the Church ; but teach 
all men rather to see and acknowledge the 
greater good, than to discover and censure 
the lesser evil, that, by reason of earthly 
imperfections, is still found in its bosom. 

V. 

THE CHURCH OF WHICH YOU ARE A MEMBER. 

As a good Church member, you will al- 
ways prefer the church to which you belong 
to all others; enjoy its privileges, and attend 
to your duties in connection with it. 

The congregation to which you belong is 
the first sphere and field of your labor. That 
requires your presence, your influence, and 
your care. Shall a member of a family not 
find his first, principal duties in his own 
family ? Shall a farmer find his business on 
the farm of another ? Every member in its 



CHURCH OF YOUR MEMBERSHIP. 361 

own body — every brancli in its own tree — 
every child in its own family. So also every 
member in his own church. 

This does not imply bigotry. It only 
shows that you were intelligent in your 
choice, and sincere in your professions, when 
you connected with the church. 

Moreover, we promote the cause of Christ 
best, by building up around us. He pro- 
motes the interests of the nation best who 
does most to elevate his own family. He 
best builds up the Church at large, who best 
builds up the Church at home. *'My son, 
why wilt thou prefer the bosom of strangers V 

Our attentions abroad will be misunder- 
stood — we do not mean when they are occa- 
sional, but habitual. They will act on the 
minds of others to the disparagement of the 
fold in which is our home. They thin the 
attendance upon its worship, cause the un- 
stable to waver, discourage the hearts of 
those who are regular, and break the ener- 
gies and steal away the joy of the pastor. As 
it is the glory of a soldier to be loyal, and 
in his place in the ranks, so it is the honor 
and praise of a good Church member to be 
in his place in the church to which he be- 
longs. 



362 THOUGHTS FOR YOUNG MEMBERS. 

VI. 
YOUR PASTOR. 

In seeking to understand your duty as a 
member of the Church, forget not the solemn 
duty of holding up the hands and encou- 
raging the heart of your pastor. 

Any course of conduct which weakens the 
influence, or diminishes the respect due a 
pastor, injures and cripples the energies of a 
church. *' This is the heir,^' says the enemy, 
**let us kill him and the inheritance is ours.^' 
On the other hand, whatever sustains and 
encourages him, promotes the welfare of the 
Church. 

The pastor in the church is as the leader 
in the army. His prominent position, as 
holding a solemn office from Christ him- 
self, entails on him heavy responsibility, 
and for this reason great deference and re- 
spect are due him. Hence our Saviour re- 
quires for his ministers such high and solemn 
honor from the people, saying: *'He that 
heareth you, heareth me; and he that de- 
spiseth you, despiseth me ; and he that de- 
spiseth me, despiseth him that sent me.'' 
(St. Luke X. 16.) Ever bear in mind the 
solemn warning of the Lord: ** Touch not 
mine anointed, and do my prophets no 



YOUR PASTOR. 363 

harm/' (Ps. cv. 15.) How excellent also ia 
the exhortation of St. Paul to the members 
of the Church of Thessalonica: *'We be- 
seech you, brethren, to know them which 
labor among you, and are over you in the 
Lord, and admonish you ; and to esteem 
them very highly in love for their work's 
sake.'' (Thess. v. 12, 13.) To the Hebrews 
the holy apostle also addresses these words : 
** Obey them that have the rule over you, 
and submit yourselves : for they watch for 
your souls as they that must give account, 
that they may do it with joy, and not with 
grief: for this is unprofitable to you." (Heb. 
xiii. 17.) 

What so well sustains a ruler as the virtue 
of the citizens ? What so much encourages 
a teacher as the progress and kind spirit of 
his pupils? In like manner, the joy and 
success of a pastor depends greatly on the 
good spirit of those to whom he ministers. 
He feels strong in them. By their kindness 
he ministers with joy, by their neglect with 
grief. 

No one but a pastor knows the disheart- 
ening effects of coldness, inconsistencies, or 
ungratefulness in members. He prepares a 
sermon with deep anxiety and weariness of 
mind, and they are not present to hear it. 



364 THOUGHTS FOR YOUNG MEMBERS. 

He breaks their bread, but they come not to 
the altar to receive it. He lays his hands 
on them in Confirmation, after many exhorta- 
tions, prayers, and tears, and they go forth 
to dishonor their profession, to wound their 
Saviour, and to betray the Church. He 
bears them on his heart in public and in 
private, by day and by night, and receives 
ingratitude in return. It is this that dampens 
his zeal, breaks his courage, and turns the 
cup of his joy into vrormwood and gall. 

Kemember that your pastor is a public 
man, and as such is exposed to the unchari- 
table private judgment of many minds. Be- 
sides, it is part of his commission to reprove 
and condemn the sins of the people ; and 
hence it cannot be expected that he should 
be without enemies. No faithful minister 
can please all men. Even Christ could not. 
St. Paul could not. The prophets, apostles, 
and martyrs could not. Indeed, our Saviour 
says: *'Wo unto you when all men speak 
well of you." St. Paul says : ** Do I seek to 
please men? for if I yet pleased men, I 
should not be the servant of Christ." Do 
not, therefore, expect this of your pastor. 

Remember also that your pastor, though 
highly honored of Christ, and sincerely de- 
voted to his cause, is yet not an angel. He 



• YOUR PASTOR. 365 

is a man " of like passions with yourself/^ 
and exposed to all the imperfections and 
infirmities which cleave to Christians in this 
life. Even St. Paul could say: "Not as 
tKough I had already attained, either were 
already perfect.^^ The same apostle, speak- 
ing of the ministry, says: "We have this 
treasure in earthen vessels, that the excel- 
lency of the power may be of God, and not 
of us.'' (1 Cor. iv. 7.) Regard, therefore, 
with great charity, whatever faults and fail- 
ings may appear in his spirit and life. To 
err is human ; to forgive is divine. All eyes 
are on him. His position is delicate. His 
responsibilities are many. His perplexities 
are great. Much is expected of him, and 
his mistakes are readily magnified. If you 
see an occasional open fault in him, remem- 
ber that you see him not in private, where 
he writes bitter things against himself, and 
weeps over his imperfections, and rejoices in 
the pardon which he has received of God, 
even while men are still severely holding 
him to account. 

The children of this world especially, who 
are most heavily laden with guilt, are prone 
to be most severe in their censures of his 
little defects. With beams in their own 
eyes, they profess to discern keenly a mote 



366 THOUGHTS FOR YOUNG MEMBERS. 

in his. You must take his part when as- 
sailed ; defend him when he is misrepre- 
sented. In this way will you sustain his 
character, and enlarge the circle of his in- 
fluence. In proportion as you inspire re- 
spect for him in heart, do 3^ou increase his 
power of doing good. 

Study how you shall be kind to your pas- 
tor. Words of kindness, acts of kindness, 
marks of kindness — these are the earthly 
sunlight of a pastor's life, and the nerves of 
his strength. It is by these that he is en- 
couraged in his numerous cares, heavy toils, 
and responsible duties. 

Seek to cultivate your pastor's love toward 
yourself. This is a duty too generally over- 
looked. We say cultivate his love, because 
it is in your power to do so. The holy apos- 
tle exhorts, " Let us consider one another, 
to provoke unto love.^^ (Heb. x. 24.) It is 
plain that one person is capable of drawing 
the spirit of another toward himself — to in- 
cite him to love. We can do that which 
will awaken love in the bosom of another 
toward us. 

God makes it the duty of your pastor to 
love you ; but remember that he also enjoins 
on you to provoke him to love you. Why 
are we more inclined to some persons than 



YOUR PASTOR. 367 

toward others? The answer is easy: Be- 
cause we see more that calls forth our love 
in some than in others. This is the reason 
why even Christ was drawn peculiarly to- 
ward John, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. 
They were lovely, and provoked Ills love 
toward them. 

Love is not arbitrary. It cannot be pro- 
duced by force of will. It presupposes some 
attractions in those to be beloved. We see 
this law of attraction everywhere, even in 
nature. Attractions are ever toward that 
which, by its congeniality, attracts. The 
birds love the leafy grove. The lambs love 
the green meadow. The wild beasts love 
the deep, wild forest. In human society, 
like seeks its like. Sinners love sinners. 
The gay love the gay. All are drawn after 
the attraction which provokes them toward 
itself. 

It is just so in religion. The pure are 
drawn toward the pure — saints to saints — 
because they discover in each other that 
moral likeness, and congeniality of taste and 
feeling, which meets outgoings of their own 
hearts, and thus imparts happiness. Your 
pastor^s love is under the same law. He is 
a human being like all others, and can only 
love what is lovely, and what attracts him. 



368 THOUGHTS FOR YOUNG MEMBERS. 

It is plain, then, that he is drawn toward 
you just in proportion as he finds in you 
attractive traits of character ; and he must 
be repelled from you just in proportion as 
he discovers the opposite in you. 

All Christians are imperfect, and have 
consequently more or less about them which 
repels love ; but this the kind pastor takes 
into charitable consideration, because he 
does not claim perfection himself, and is 
therefore dependent on the same kind cha- 
rity. But, as he is, so are you, bound in 
duty to cultivate a lovely spirit and charac- 
ter, not merely for the reward which good- 
ness secures, but in order that it may be 
possible for him to love you. 

We have all observed how easy it is to love 
some Christians. They are so firm, so con-^ 
sistent, so regular and decided in all their 
Christian acts, that we must see an excel- 
lence about them which commands our es- 
teem. On the other hand, we have all felt 
how difficult it is to keep up an exercise of 
love toward others. They are so cold, so in- 
constant — there is so much lack of all the finer 
feelings of the Christian life, we must be 
ever making apologies to ourselves for their 
inconsistencies and unkindness ; and when 
vve have put the best possible construction 



YOUR PASTOR. 369 

upon their acts and Christian characters, we 
must still stand in doubt of them, and find 
ourselves ever repelled instead of attracted. 

Pastors are sometimes blamed for confiding 
more affectionately in some than in others. 
Yf hose fault is it ? Do not blame your pas- 
tor for the absence of special love toward 
you, when there is so little special in you to 
love. First blame your Saviour, the Chief 
Pastor, for His special love toward John and 
the family of Bethany. Make yourself like 
them — act toward your pastor in all kind- 
ness and love as they did toward our Saviour, 
and then, as John was to Christ, so you may 
be to your pastor, a ** beloved disciple. '^ 

This is a point of great importance. We 
would impress it deeply on your mind. Your 
own comfort, as well as the pastor's happi- 
ness and power of benefiting you in his min- 
istrations, greatly depend on it. 

Do you ask how you are to cultivate his 
love toward you, your question has already 
been substantially answered : By cultivating 
your own Christian character, and thus 
making yourself worthy of a Christian love. 
Nor must you overlook the influence of what, 
by an unreflecting person, might be regarded 
small matters. Show toward your pastor 
little acts of kind remembrance. That circle 
24 



370 THOUGHTS FOR YOUNG MEMBERS. 

of lovely female disciples which we find so 
constantly near our Saviour, and toward 
whom He was drawn in such special holy 
love, ^'ministered unto Him,'^ with unceas- 
ing attentions. She who anointed His feet 
with the alabaster box of ointment, "very 
precious'^ — Martha who so kindly " received 
Him into her house'^ — they who hastened 
to His tomb- so early with spices which 
they had prepared, to show such touching 
love to His sacred body — could not fail to 
cheer His weary way, in all His ministerial 
life, with little gifts of love, tokens of their 
affectionate remembrance, and grateful offer- 
ings to His comfort. Tradition says — per- 
haps truly — that *'the coat woven without 
seam from the top throughout,'' was the work 
of the hands and the gift of the heart of 
Mary ! Of whom more likely ! Can any 
one doubt that such like acts of love affected 
the heart of even the Son of God, and served 
to draw forth that strong holy human love, 
the special manifestation of which the Evan- 
gelists incidentally, and yet so touchingly, 
represent as characterizing His conduct to- 
ward these ministering disciples. Do not 
think for a moment that your pastor's heart 
is either too dull or too ethereal to be affected 
by such delicate touches of kindness and love. 



YOUR PASTOR. 371 

Do not trouble yourself as to the pecuniary 
value of the gift you bestow. Its virtue does 
not consist in its commercial worth, but in 
the evidence of affectionate remembrance 
and kindly wishes which it furnishes. Your 
pastor sits in his study in weariness and 
care ; what a sunlight comes into his heart, 
with even a bunch of flowers which some 
thoughtful and kind-hearted parishioner has 
sent to him by a child. By that small token, 
the sender quite delicately says: "I have 
thought of you — I have been comforted by 
your ministrations in the past — grateful 
feelings well up in my heart — the Lord 
cheer you in your toils and cares ! '' This, 
and much more which cannot be told in 
words, is the language of the smallest token 
of kind remembrance and Christian affection 
coming to a faithful pastor from a grateful 
member of the church. 

If your gift of kind remembrance be of a 
more substantial and valuable kind, it will 
only evidence in yourself a stronger feeling 
of gratitude and love, and may serve to lessen 
the pastor's worldly cares, while in an in- 
creased degree, it cheers his heart and 
lightens his labors. 

You must not forget that it is your solemn 
duty to pray for your pastor. " Brethren, 



372 THOUGHTS FOR YOUNG MEMBERS. 

pray for us, that the word of the Lord may 
have free course, and be glorified/^ (2 Thess. 
iii. 1.) "Brethren, pray for us/' (Heb. 
xiii. 18.) ''I know,'' said Paul when he 
was in bonds, *' that this shall turn to my 
salvation, through your prayers." (Phil. i. 
19.) Who is it that makes these requests? 
Was it some poor, weak, ignorant, inexperi- 
enced minister who needed specially to be 
prayed for ? 0, no ! It was Paul — a man 
of learning, a man of experience, a man of 
great spiritual power, an apostle, a man in- 
spired, in whom dwelt the Holy Ghost ! A 
hero in religion — a man of zeal, courage, 
and unbounded determination — the most 
wonderful man the Avorld ever saw — called 
by *'a vision," caught up into the third 
heaven by "a vision," honored by our Sa- 
viour above all others in that he showed Him- 
self to him personally in his call to the min- 
istry. This man says: ''Pray for us." Did 
he need it ? How much more your pastor ! 
Pray for your pastor. Pray for him in 
your closet; and whenever you think of him, 
or speak of him, or see him, offer up for him 
and his work a silent prayer. Whenever 
you think of the interests of the congrega- 
tion, pray for him. If you wish him to 
preach well, pray for him. 



RELATION TO YOUR FELLOW-MEMBERS. 373 

You respect and love him ; you delight in 
his ministrations ; you speak ^xe\l of him to 
others ; you take his part against any who 
speak evil of him. This is noble, this is 
kind, this is Christian-like. But do you 
pray for him? Do you speak of him to 
God, commend him to His grace, and invoke 
His Holy Spirit upon him? Do you attend 
to this before you go to church, when you 
have entered your pew, and when he rises 
to minister in holy things ; and during the 
service does your heart rise to God for His 
blessing on his ministrations to yourself and 
others ? In the ancient Church the minister 
began the most solemn service by saying: 
** Lift up your hearts.^' To which the people 
responded: "We lift them up unto the 
Lord.'' How beautiful and appropriate ! 
0, how often do we forget that our ministers 
are not angels, but men like ourselves, who 
have the great treasure in earthen vessels, 
and therefore need our prayers ! 

TII. 
YOUR RELATION TO YOUR FELLOW-MEMBERS. 

A GOOD church member will take a sincere 
interest in his fellow-members. 

Members of the church stand related to 



374 THOUGHTS FOR YOUNG MEMBERS. 

one another as the different members of the 
body. When one member suffers, all suffer 
with it. The interest of one is the interest 
of all. They will mutually sustain one an- 
other. The strong will support the weak. 
The intelligent will instruct the ignorant. 
The firm will confirm the wavering. 

They will cultivate each other^s acquaint- 
ance. They will seek to know each other's 
circumstances. They will endeavor to ad- 
vance one another's interests in temporal 
and spiritual things. They will bear one 
another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of 
Christ. This is involved in their very rela- 
tions. For this purpose are they nearer to 
each other, than to others in the communion 
of the church. To this also the Apostle ex- 
horts : "Do good to all men, but especially 
to the household of faith.^' 

These things, and many others which we 
cannot now enumerate, belong to a good 
church member. What a blessing it would 
be to the church if this character of a church 
member were generally realized ! What then 
could hinder the prosperity of the church? 
Little could its enemies accomplish if all its 
professed friends were thus true and faithful 
in all their duties. Strive to improve by 
these counsels, so shall you be an ornament 



CONDUCT IN god's HOUSE. 375 

to the church, and worthy to bear the sacred 
name — Christian ! 

VIII. 
PROPER CONDUCT IN THE HOUSE OF GOD. 

Keep thy foot when thou goest to the 
house of God, and be more ready to hear, 
than to give the sacrifice of fools : for they 
consider not that they do evil. Be not rash 
with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be 
hasty to utter anything before God ; for God 
is in heaven, and thou upon earth : therefore 
let thy words be few. Thus does the wise 
man instruct us in reference to our deport- 
ment when going to the house of God, and 
our conduct whilst there. Let me ask your 
serious attention to a few thoughts on this 
subject. 

On the way we are to '* keep our feet'' — 
that is, observe a walk and deportment which 
corresponds with the solemn errand on which 
we are going. When we are there, we are 
not to ** offer the sacrifice of fools" — that is, 
do as those do who feel no responsibility for 
their acts, and have no proper sense of what 
belongs to God and His worship. 

It is not strange that the sacred writers 
should make this a matter worthy of con- 
cern, and give instruction in relation to it. 



376 THOUGHTS FOR YOUNG MEMBERS. 

Proper conduct is a matter of importance in 
all places ; and, of course, most of all in the 
house of God. 

Our spirit and deportment must always 
correspond with the place and circumstances 
in which we are. Sorrow does not belong to 
a marriage scene, nor joy to a funeral. Tears 
belong not to a festival, nor laughter to a 
fast. Everything is beautiful in its place. 
** Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and 
weep with them that weep.'' There is both 
beauty and religion in observing always a 
deportment, and manifesting a spirit, in har- 
mony with the place, and the time. Out of 
place all things are wrong. 

It is on this principle that the wise man 
requires a certain kind of deportment to be 
observed by us, even in the way to the house 
of God. We go not to our worldly work and 
business — we go not to visit a friend — we 
go not to a lecture or place of innocent amuse- 
ment — therefore we go not as we go to such 
places. This ought not only to be felt by us, 
but it ought to be seen by others. There 
need be no hanging of head, as though we 
were going to suffer the penalty of a crime, 
but there ought to be that devout humility, 
that cheerful gravity, and decency of de- 
meanor, which we at once feel belongs to 



CONDUCT IN god's HOUSE. 377 

those who are going into the presence of 
God to confess their sins, to hear Him speak, 
and to praise Him for His love. 

This feeling ought to increase as we ap- 
proach, and actually enter the courts of the 
Lord. If we '* keep our feet^^ on the way, 
much more when we enter. The Jews, as 
they went up, sung ''songs of degrees,'' 
which increased in solemn beauty and devo- 
tion as they came nearer the place where 
His honor dwelt. 

No light conversation, no worldly feeling, 
no vanity of spirit, no frivolous deportment, 
should be carried up to the door of the sanc- 
tuary. It will not be done by the considerate, 
sincere, and earnest worshipper. 

Highly improper, therefore, is it to linger 
at the doors, or in the vestibule, or outer 
court of the sanctuary. This is even consid- 
ered a mark of rudeness at the place of a lec- 
ture, or at a hall of public amusement. At 
a church it is, of course, still more out of 
place. It is always unpleasant to those en- 
tering ; and makes an unfavorable impres- 
sion, especially on the minds of strangers, 
not only in regard to the persons who in- 
dulge in the habit, but in regard also to the 
congregation where it is done. 

Persons who indulge in this rude habit 



378 THOUGHTS FOR YOUNG MEMBERS. 

show that their first and ruling desire is not 
to worship, but to see a friend, to attend to 
business which belongs not to the place, or 
to herd rudely with the rude. Such persons 
show that they are not hastening with holy 
desire and sacred joy into the blessed pre- 
sence of God ; but that, with reluctant steps, 
and delay of heart, they only enter when 
they must — and then often more or less to 
disturb the worship which has already com- 
menced. 

The manner of entering a sanctuary is not 
a matter of indifference. The devout wor- 
shipper enters devoutly, and moves to his 
seat with humble decorum. He eschews the 
light and the lofty look. He thinks of the 
place, instead of gazing over those that are 
there. He feels more the presence of God 
than of others. He loses himself, and forgets 
others in the solemnity of the place. 

His first thought is self-recollection and 
prayer. It was a beautiful custom which 
our fathers observed, when they did not even 
take their seats without first offering a prayer, 
with the hat or hymn-book held up before 
the face. This custom has passed away ; it 
is well if, with some at least, the prayer has 
not gone with it ! Is it not to be feared — 
yea, must it not be concluded, from the way 



CONDUCT IN god's HOUSE. 379 

in which many persons present themselves 
in their pews, that silent prayer is not 
thought of, much less practised ? It is to be 
feared that hearts which do not thus rise to 
God in the beginning, do not truly rise to 
Him in the continuance of the service. 

Will not he who devoutly begins, be better 
prepared for the remaining service? Will 
not the singing, the prayer, and the sermon, 
to such an one, possess new interest ? Have 
not those who present themselves before 
God without prayer, reason to blame them- 
selves if they depart from the sanctuary un- 
profited and unblest ? 

It is the omitting of this silent prayer 
which makes room for improprieties and sins 
which are too common even in the best regu- 
lated congregations — such as looking around, 
noticing every new worshipper that comes 
in, and even, in some cases, conversation 
carried on in annoying whispers. This it 
is, certainly, which deserves to be called, -in 
the strong language of Solomon, " the sacri- 
fice of fools." Conduct like this has a very bad 
eftect, not only on the guilty themselves, but 
on others. It is exceedingly annoying to all 
who are compelled to witness it. Who is it 
that has not, at some time or other, been 
robbed of all the satisfaction of a service by 



380 THOUGHTS FOR YOUNG MEMBERS. 

Buch-like improprieties in some that were 
near them ? This is certainly a serious 
crime before God ! Well does the wise man 
say : " They consider not that they do evil/' 

We must speak also of the nature of true 
worship itself. The worship of God ought 
to be solemn and beautiful. This can only 
be realized where all worshippers observe 
the greatest order, and the most decent pro- 
priety. No sight on earth is more beautiful 
than a worshipping congregation where all 
seem pervaded with the one great thought 
and feeling: '* The Lord is in His holy tem- 
ple ; let all the earth keep silence before 
Him ! '^ To such worshippers the angels 
are near — with such a beautiful service 
God is well pleased. 

To such a worship the wise man exhorts 
us. *'Be not rash with thy mouth, and let 
not thine heart be hasty to utter anything 
before God : for God is in heaven, and thou 
upon earth : therefore let thy words be few.'' 
Reverence, humility, and solemnity, which 
always exert a subduing influence on the 
soul, are the deepest elements, and surest 
characteristics, of true worship. Where 
these are found, the worship is beautiful in 
the sight of man, and acceptable to God. 
There the challenge may be made — 



CONDUCT IN god's HOUSE. 381 

Let strangers walk around 

The city where we dwell, 
Compass and view the holy ground, 

And mark the building well : 

The order of Thy house, 

The worship of Thy court. 
The cheerful songs, the solemn vows, 

And make a fair report. 

How decent and how wise! 

How glorious to behold! 
Beyond the pomp that charms the eyes. 

And rites adorned with gold ! 

Take earnest and devout part in all the 
exercises. Be not merely a spectator and a 
listener, but a worshipper. Hearing the 
sermon is not the only duty, nor the chief 
duty of the worshipper. Even more im- 
portant than this are the prayers and praises 
of the sanctuary — in psalms, and hymns, 
and spiritual songs, to make melody in our 
hearts unto the Lord! This is more properly 
worship. 

Preserve a devout attitude in worship. 
Let it not be said that outward reverence, 
propriety, and order, are of no importance 
when the heart is right. AVhcn these are 
absent the heart is not right. Are polite- 
ness, civility, and courtesy of no account in 
social life? Do persons of proper cultivation 
lounge in a parlor, sleep in a social circle, 



382 THOUGHTS FOR YOUNG MEMBERS. 

show thmselves listless when spoken to, or 
manifest indifference to the kind attentions 
of those who are doing them honor? No, 
And will a Christian do these things before 
God, and in His solemn worship? Will a 
pious person act irreverently and carelessly 
in the midst of the service of Him before 
whom the angels prostrate themselves with 
veiled faces in token of the deepest humility 
and reverence ! 

You ought to depart from the house of 
God with the same decorum that character- 
ized your conduct in going up to it. See 
that neither your own devout impressions 
are lost, nor the better feelings of others 
scandalized by any improprieties in your 
spirit or conduct. 



PART X. 



AN OKDEK 

OF 

SCRIPTURE READINGS, 

FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR. 

ARRANGED 

ACCORDING TO THE CHURCH YEAR. 

(383) 



iycttAluze<!} , tonicA ate av^ie lo ^na'K^e mee 

t'Tt JoAzMd Jfedud. ^1;^ 33a ul. 

Jre na^e atdo a 7no^e <i^ute ti/»ut 0/ hto* 

neea, ad cc^ito a iiaAl; Inat ^m^meln l7^ a 
(/atA Mace until me aau c/awTif a7icl me 
</au'-d^ta/r' a^i<^e m youf neatld, 

St 3Peter» 



(384) 



AN ORDEE 



SCRIPTURE READIITGS, 



CHURCH YEAR. 



'*All Scripture is given by inspiration 
of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for re- 
proof, for correction, for instruction in right- 
eousness ; that the man of God may be per- 
fect, thoroughly furnished unto all good 
works/^ The reading of the Holy Scrip- 
tures in private and as a part of public wor- 
ship, vras early introduced in the Christian 
Church. Bingham says that " Cyril allowed 
his catechumens to read no other books in 
private but the books of the Old and New 
Testamdnt, which he thought they might 
safely read, because they were both publicly 
read in the Church/^ In 1549, according to 
Proctor, '* the reading of the Scriptures in 
the Church was made intelligible by being 
25 (385) 



386 AN ORDER OF SCRIPTURE READINGS 

continuous, while the appointment of two 
chapters, one from the Old, and one from 
the New Testament, was a return to the 
primitive custom/' 

In the Calendar used in the English 
Church, the book of Genesis is begun with 
the beginning of the civil year, and the 
regular order of the books in the Old and 
New Testaments is preserved, ''omitting 
many chapters of Ezekiel, and the Books 
of Chronicles, and the Song of Solomon,^' 
while Isaiah is reserved for the Advent sea- 
son. It seems, however, preferable- to ar- 
range the Calendar with reference to the 
ecclesiastical year, so that the reading of 
the Scriptures, as well as the general ar- 
rangement of church services, may be made 
to accord with the needs, uses, and teach- 
ings of the Church. The Calendar here- 
with given has been kindly translated and 
prepared for this work by Dr. Lewis H. 
Steiner, from the Evangelical Hymn and 
Prayer Book, published, for Church and 
Family use, at Hamburg, 1846. The plan 
adopted in its preparation is as follows: 
During Advent, the history of the Patri^ 
archs is read for the First, and the pro- 
phetic announcements of the appearance of 
the Saviour for the Second, Lessons. In 



FOR THE CHURCH YEAR. 387 

the Christmas and Epiphany seasons, the his- 
tory of Moses, Joshua, the Judges and Ruth, 
Samuel and Saul, with the Book of Job, 
form the First, while the account of the birth, 
youth, and ministry of Christ, constitutes the 
subject of the Second, Lessons. In Lent, we 
read the account of the kings of Judah from 
David to Ahaz, and those of Israel from 
Jeroboam to Ilosea, in the First Lessons ; 
and the sufferings of Christ in the Second 
Lessons. 

In the Easter season, the First Lessons 
give an account of the history of Judah to 
the destruction of Jerusalem, together with 
the minor prophets of this period ; and the 
Second Lessons contain the account of the 
Resurrection and Ascension to Heaven of 
our Saviour. The remainder of the Church 
Year is taken up with the reading of Isaiah, 
Jeremiah, and some of the other prophets, 
with some of the Psalms, for the First Les- 
sons ; and the account of the founding of 
the Church, its extension and its comple- 
tion, as shadowed forth in the Apocalypse, 
constitute the Second Lessons. 

It is believed that this arrangement will 
be found most convenient for private and 
family use, giving Scriptural readings ap- 
propriate for the various Church seasons. 



388 



AN ORDER OF SCRIPTURE READINGS 



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389 



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" 1, 

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♦' 27. 

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1. 

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28. 


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1874, 
1875, 
1876, 
1877, 
1878, 
1879, 
1880, 



390 AN ORDER or SCRIPTURE READINGS 



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392 AN ORDER OF SCRIPTURE READINGS 











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394 AN ORDER OF SCRIPTURE READINGS 



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396 AN ORDER OF SCRIPTURE READINGS 



[PHANY. 

Epistle, Colossians iii. 12-17. 

SECOND LESSON. 

Matthew viii. 1-17. 
" viii. 17-34. 
" ix. 

" X. 

" xi. 
xii. 
" xiii. 


EPIIANY. 

Epistle 1 JbAn iii. 1-10. 

SECOND LESSON. 

Matthew xiv. 

" XV. 

'■' xvi. 
" xvii. 
''' xviii. 
" xix. 
" XX. 1-16. 


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398 AN ORDER OF SCRIPTURE READINGS 



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AN ORDER OF SCRIPTURE READINGS 



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EASTER WEEK. 

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rOR THE CHURCH YEAR. 



405 



SUNTIDE. 

Epistle, 1 Peter iv. 7-11. 

SECOND LESSON. 

1 John i. 
" ii. 
"' iii. 
'• iv. 

" V. 

Joel iii. 
John xvii. 


Epistle, Acts ii. 1-11. 
" « X. 34-48. 
" viii. 14-17. 

SECOND LESSON. 

Exodus xix. — Gal. iii., iv. 1-7. 
Galatians v. — 1 Corinthians xii. 
Romans xii. 

1 Corinthians xiii. 
Romans vi. 19 — vii. 

'• viii. 

2 Corinthians v. 


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406 AN ORDER OF SCRIPTURE READINGS 



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410 AN ORDER OF SCRIPTURE READINGS 



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FOR THE CHURCH YEAR. 



413 




414 



AN ORDER OF SCRIPTURE READINGS 



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416 



AN ORDER OF SCRIPTURE READINGS 



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417 



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418 AN ORDER OF SCRIPTURE READINGS 













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FOR THE CHURCH YEAR. 



419 











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